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Building Political Strenght
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" Local politicians from other parties are fazed by Sinn Fein. Officially, they play down the threat
they pose at the next general election, but privately, they admire their application and are bracing
themselves for big changes in the political landscape in many constituencies "
- The Sunday Business Post 23 January 2000
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To contact Sinn Fein in your own area click on the ballot box
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Elections are a vital part of Sinn Feins strategy to spread our political message, win wider support
and new members, mobilise and empower communities, and achieve the power to implement our radical programme
to change society.
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Predict how Sinn Fein will do in the next General Election ?
Go to bottom of page
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Michelle Gildernew MP
Newly Elected MP
Fermanagh/South Tyrone
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Mitchell Mc Laughlin MLA
Party Chairperson
Sinn Fein
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Elections are an integral and central part of Republican strategy, and complement street politics
and radical activity in our communities.
They are central in achieving our Republican goals of
Independence, Unity, Freedom, and a society built on equal opportunity and Sharing the Wealth.
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Since the 1981 H-Block elections which saw Bobby Sands elected as a Westminister MP in Fermanagh/South
Tyrone and Kieran Doherty and Paddy Agnew as TD's for Cavan/Monaghan and Louth respectively, elections
have become a crucial vehicle for Republicans. And it is not just crucial for Republicans but for
people alienated by the corruption and mismanagement of society and Establishment parties who have failed
them.
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Increasing numbers of people see Sinn Fein as a vibrant, honest alternative to establishment parties,
working on the ground, pursuing policies and issues which are relevant to them. That is why our support
is growing.
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General Elections / Westminister Elections
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The 1997 General Elections in the 26 counties and the results of the Westminister elections in the 6
counties, heralded a surge of radical republican policies with the election of Gerry Adams (MLA, MP)
and Martin Mc Guinness (MLA, MP), as MP's for West Belfast and Mid-Ulster respectively and Caoimhin O
Caolain TD for Cavan/Monaghan. Since then the recent election for Westminister and the upcoming elections
in the 26 counties point in only one direction. Up. Sinn Fein can truely say they are a party on the
up.
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Westminister Elections, June 7th 2001
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In the single seat constituencies, operating on the first past the post system, Gerry Adams held the
West Belfast seat, first won in 1983, and recieved the largest vote of any candidate in the whole of
Britian and Ireland. He also now holds the largest majority of any MP after winning more than 66% of
all the votes in his constituency.
Martin Mc Guinness built on his historic 1997 victory by increasing
his vote to secure an absolute majority, opening a gap of 9,953 votes over the DUP's Ian Mc Crea, (son
of Willie). The Sinn Fein vote grew by 11% to 51.1%.
Party vice-President Pat Doherty joined
the other Sinn Fein members by securing another fantastic victory in West Tyrone. In a constituency dubbed
"the SDLP's Stalingrad", Pat told his supporters at the count centre, that it was now "Sinn Fein's West
Tyrone". He began his acceptance speech by announcing "What a magnificent victory", and that it was.
However it is only to be the first of many.
The last but by no means least, and surely the sweetest
of all the results in this election must go to the new MP for Fermanagh/South Tyrone, Michelle Gildernew.
After running a fantastic campaign the new MP, who hails from a family who were right at the heart of
the struggle for civil rights for Catholics in the sixties, became the first woman MP elected since Countess
Markewiecz in 1918, and regained the seat won by Bobby Sands (RIP), in his famous victory in 1981. This
was a poignant moment for all Republicans and Michelle will carry on the struggle for Liberty and Equality
as well as any gone before her.
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Across the 32 counties in June 1999, Sinn Fein polled a massive 205,808 votes under the campaign slogan
" Independence In Europe ". In the six counties, Sinn Feins Mitchell Mc Laughlin boosted the party's
vote to 17.3% from 9.86% five years earlier and more importantly, 117,643 votes, - less than 2,000 behind
the Ulster Unionist Party. In the four EU constituencies in the 26 counties, Sinn Fein more than doubled
its vote to 88,165, consolidating firm bases for challenges to be made in the next general election by
EU candidates Martin Ferris, (Kerry North), Sean Mc Manus (Sligo/Leitrim), Arthur Morgan (Louth) and
Sean Crowe (Dublin).
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Sinn Fein polled 142,000 first preferences votes in the elections to the asembly on 25th June 1998.
Eighteen Sinn Fein members were elected to the Assembly, winning 17.6 per cent of the poll and topping
the poll in five constituencies. Sinn Fein now has the support of 45% of the nationalist electorate compared
to 30%, six years previously. When the Assembly executive was established, Martin Mc Guinness (Derry)
was nominated by Sinn Fein as Minister of Education, and Bairbre de Brun (Belfast) as Minister for Health.
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A Force in Local Government
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While other parties lost votes or stood still in the local government elections in June 1999, in the
26 counties, Sinn Fein surged into the news headlines with a remarkable performance.
Fighting on
a platform of "Putting People First", Sinn Fein more than doubled its representation from 27 to 62 councillors.
In Monaghan, Sinn Fein has 17 councillors, on a par with Fine Gael. In Dublin, Sinn Feins track record
of hard work saw it rise from one seat to six seats. Sinn Feins Alderman Sean Mc Manus is the current
Mayor of Sligo, Brian Mc Kenna is the Chairperson of Monaghan County council, and Micheal Colreavy is
the Chairperson of the Leitrim County council.
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Since the council elections in June 2001, Sinn Fein have made significant gains to a current total of
108 councillors. This is a gain of 34 seats, and they recieved more votes than the other main nationalist
party, the SDLP. Sinn Fein can now rightly claim to speak on behalf of the majority of nationalists in
the North of Ireland.
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Why don't you try your hand at predicting how Sinn Fein will do in the next General Election ?
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