Below are two short videos chopped ( no, I DON’T know why they chopped, Virginia, but I assure you it was technological incompetence, not hawk-eyed censorship) from my interview with John Finucane yesterday. John is an immensely important acquisition by Sinn Féin, and I would rate his campaign in North Belfast up there with the campaigns to elect the hunger-strikers in the 1980s.
He’s a candidate who brings an impeccable modelling of how to react when you’ve been the victim of lethal collusion. I can think of no time that the Finucane family ever expressed bitterness or a desire for revenge. Despite the fact that their father/spouse was shot dead in front of their eyes – all of them, gathered for a family meal in their own home – they have personified dignity and determination in their pursuit of the truth.
John Finucane is a young man – OK, he’s youngish, thirty-seven – who is highly educated, is a partner in his own legal firm, is known and respected in North Belfast for his professionalism and commitment to Gaelic sports. He’s fluent, thoughtful, decisive, and very easy to like.
The fact is that there is now less than a week to polling day. If the nationalist/republican voters come out in anything like the numbers they did a few months ago, and join with those new voters that John Finucane will inevitably draw from those not normally republican voters but outraged by the treatment of the Finucane family, he will win. Yes, you heard right, Virginia – HE WILL WIN. But only if the nationalist/republican respond and show John Finucane and the Finucane family the respect in which they hold the Finucane family by voting for a candidate who will take republican politics in North Belfast and in Ireland generally to a new level.
Yes, the voters of North Belfast can do it. The question they must answer with their actions next Thursday is “Will they do it?” Opportunities like this come along infrequently. When they do, they should be seized with excitement and gratitude.
So part the bum from the couch, tape Corrie or EastEnders or whatever your daily screen-fix is, and go make history.
There’s palpable and clearly visible anger with the SDLP for running a spoiler and whether it was intentional to help Unionism or hinder SF is immaterial …. it is an immense mistake in a strategically important seat where they haven’t a snowballs chance in hell of winning and will not easily be forgotten or forgiven . They’ve made many mistakes ,from the ” rent and rates ” fiasco to their connivance with Jim Allister over employment of ex prisoners but they’ve even trumped themselves this time.
It is a great pity that there was no electoral pact between Sinn Féin and the SDLP. It would have greatly increased the chances of a nationalist return in South Belfast, North Belfast and Fermanagh South Tyrone. I suspect the SDLP canditate (who is the candidate*?) in North Belfast won’t poll very well. South Belfast will be tight and Fermanagh – South Tyrone should go to Sinn Féin.
Getting rather excited there Jude but I feel Dodds will cross the line in this one
Nah, Gaz – not excited – hopeful. It’s an historic opportunity. It’s up to ‘nationalist’ voters whether they seize it…
Chris Donnelly made an interesting observation last night at a Slugger event. He reckons, if elected, Finucane could possibly end up being co opted into the Assembly with the potential as the first ever Nationalist Justice Minister. That’s of course, if the assembly reconvenes. I notice that Finucane has been thrust into the spotlight within the Party. SF, at this early stage, obviously see a future role for him in the party regardless of how this election pans out.
I’m not as confident that Finucane will be elected in North Belfast. I think he will increase the SF vote in the constituency. I think Dodds will hold the seat albeit with an increased vote. There’s a lot of talk about the buoyancy within Nationalism and little talk of a resurgence within the Unionist electorate. I’ve said time and time again on this blog that Unionism thrives on fear and the fear that permeated throughout Unionism after the March Assembly result and the fact that they lost their majority will only serve to entice Unionists to get out and vote. If it means “holding their noses” to vote, so be it. I don’t even think the implications of Brexit will have any significant bearing on this election – it’s green v orange. It’s unionist supremacy v reawakened nationalism. It’s the Union v United Ireland. The RHI scandal and the subsequent election resulted in an increased DUP vote – I feel this election will result in a surge within unionism and this prevent Finucane taking the seat, this time around, in North Belfast.
Yes ,TheHist, one does feed off the other and with Unionism beginning to realise that the game is up ,the run in is going to be a rocky road. We have the numbers to take NB hence my anger and that of many others that a spoiler has been added to the pot. It’s beyond my comprehension what Mr Eastwood is playing at…. people are not stupid nor gullible …. I think the end of the SDLP is now inevitable and they’ll not be missed
Eastwood knows that standing in North Belfast is simply to inconvenience Sinn Fein with no hope or chance of winning or in fact gaining a sizeable vote – McAuley is standing not because they want him too, but because they don’t have anyone else. But then again I see this as a weakness of the SDLP. I feel through Eastwood should have made a dual arrangement with SF – we step aside in NB and you step aside in SB. Think their failure to agree a “nationalist” coperation Pact will result in the SDLP loosing SB to the DUP. So,in essence the SDLP are their own worst enemy, they will be responsible for their own downfall. I think they will loose South Down leaving only one of their theee failed leader at Westminster on his own.
I agree the end of the SDLP is drawing nearer. I’ve argued for years they are on a political life support machine and feel this election may result in their critical situation deteriorating further – not be long before the life support machine is turned off and FF entering local elections will only speeden that up – I genuinely have no idea what they represent or who they represent. I note yesterday that Eastwood, who promised to make the SDLP greener, has thrown in the old curve ball of a border poll, yet 11 months ago rejected outright any notion of same. The SDLP have no desire, nor have they ever, for a border poll and a United Ireland. They remind me so much of the Irish Parliamentary Party. Cosy up to the Brits, smile, take the scraps that are on offer and say thank you! And repeat ….
If he had stood as an independent candidate as I believe the SDLP. had suggested he might have had a better chance.
Some voters who might like him personally and feel sympathy for his family may be put off because he is standing for SF.
Where’s the evidence, Gio, that Finucane standing as a candidate would have given him “a better chance”?
* Independent
TheHist
I am like everyone else here merely speculating.
But I am a N Belfast voter and had he stood as an independent I may we’ll have given him my vote.
I will not now.
The tone of much of the commentary here from shiners like Donal is one reason I would not vote SF this time.
Gio – I highly doubt the SDLP would have stood aside for an independent candidate particularly when they were contesting all other seats across the province. I know quite a few non voters in NB who are throwing their weight behind Finucane and giving him their vote. Although some of these people may not necessarily agree with SF politics.
I would most certainly not be making any judgement on SF based on Donal’s commentary. Donal does not speak for the party nor does he represent the party.
TheHist
The SDLP did offer to support a non part aligned candidate before Finucane came out for SF.
If he had offered to be that independent candidate they would have found it hard to turn down.
I daresay he is attracting some voters although they should realise they are voting for SF whether they like their policies or not.
But I suspect other non voters will reject him because he stands for SF.
I don’t think you should base your voting on what one person says. I don’t think his opinions are representative. He is either are good candidate or he isn’t. If you like his policies you should vote for him.
Eastwood would have been happy for John Finucane to win as an independent, but is sabotaging his chances of winning as a Sinn Fein candidate.
It is this dog-in-the-manger politics which is destroying the once eminent SDLP!
Why…. are you implying that there’s something not quite 100% with Sinn Féin….. by inference, an independent would be more trustworthy/respectable ? I’ve said before that you’ve the appearance of an agent provocateur and I dislike the not so subtle implications .
He provokes alright……..as well as lies.
Wolfe
I am still waiting for you to tell me what the lie was.
I am also waiting for Jude to tell you not to call people liars without evidence.
I suspect I will be waiting a long time in both cases.
“I am still waiting for you to tell me what the lie was.”
You see. More lies. Can’t help itself. P.s I knew it you’d run crying to the teacher. Didn’t I say you would?
Wolfie
As I said I am waiting…
Eolach
Pull yourself together. There are people who are reluctant to vote SF because of their past links to the PIRA? Perhaps you were unaware of that so I am sorry to be the one to break it to you.
My handlers said I was going too far but I didn’t listen!!
I wonder why people are willing to vote for the DUP despite their present link to the DUP!
present links to the UDA!
Sherry
That is no doubt part of the reason that about half of those eligible to vote choose not to.
Neither the DUP or SF are very appealing to them.
In fairness Giordano, I don’t think that is the reason at all. The same pattern can be observed throughout the western world. The powers that be don’t want young people, and working class people to vote and run for elections because they are afraid who they will vote for. This is why we have seen so many ordinary people removed from the register in the last couple of years. Coupled with this, people are kept misinformed by an unrepresentative media controlled by billionaires and government hacks. All seeking to keep themselves in a position of power. I’m not saying they are bad people I’m just saying that like most people in a position of power they cherish that power more than anything and would do anything to maintain it including defrauding and disenfranchising the people they are supposed to serve.
Colman
Those are fair points and may have something to do with it.
But was there not a high turnout for the Brexit vote? That suggests to me that young people will come out if they think it worth their while.
How often do you see vox pops of young people expressing a lack of interest in the old ussuns agin themmuns style politics.
Sinn Féin’s current policies are progressive in many areas. The DUP essentially are an old fashioned conservative party. So the contitutional question aside, there is a clear left/right wing split in the politics here.
Colmán
Yes I broadly agree.
But it is the baggage from our past which both parties have failed to get rid of,,either because they cannot or because they do not want to, which comes up again and again.
I think a lot of those who do not vote see two parties still fighting old battles rather than a choice of left or right policies.
But that is just my opinion. I am not aware of any research into why people do not vote here.
“But that is just my opinion. I am not aware of any research into why people do not vote here.”
Strange that you are allowed to express an opinion but when others do you demand ‘evidence’. Hypocrite as well as liar then?
wolfie
Seems harsh!
Wrong side of the bed?
The SDLP would never have backed Finucane as an independent.Their “independent” would have been an uncle Tom type.
michael
We will never know now, but they would have found it much harder to reject him as an independent than as a SF candidate.
Uncle Tom Elliott
Gio, in every election world wide a considerable amount of the electorate don’t vote….are you suggesting it’s linked to SF and the IRA…… you can’t throw your prejudices onto other shoulders and by your reasoning people shouldn’t vote for the Tories because of their association with the British army….. they’re responsible for billions more deaths than the IRA. You seem to take a very moral stance but it’s really a facade for your own intolerance
Solace
What do worldwide elections have to do with SF?
I have not said what should happen I merely made an observation.
Are you saying no-one cares about Sinn Fein,s past links? Seems unlikely.
Eolach
Once again stupid iPad thinks your name is Solace. Apologies.
Please don’t take it as part of my agent provocateur cunning plans
What an intelligent iPad for I do indeed give comfort and support to a lot of people.