And then there were just three. After all the shape throwing and eccentric candidates with exaggerated claims, when nominations finally closed at midday on Wednesday 24th of September, only three candidates had made it past the nomination stage. The stringent process of getting on the ballot paper had felled potential aspirants such as Bertie Ahern, Colin McGreger, Bob Geldof, Declan Ganley, Maria Stein, etc.
The three remaining aspirants in the field, Jim Gavin (Fianna Fáil), Heather Humphries (Fine Gael) and the candidate of the combined Left, Catherine Connolly (ind.) are hardly likely to catch the imagination of the citizenry. The process is rightly regarded by many as an example of manipulation, or colloquially a stitch up, by the political establishment. It is very clear that official Ireland was not anxious to have outsiders enter the fray. In consequence, the Presidential campaign has been deprived of much of its excitement; we have moved from a potential exciting technicolour election into a monochrome one. The contrast with US and French Presidential elections is stark.
The lack of choice is particularly disappointing for those of us who wished to see the future reunification of Ireland as a major factor in the election. Sinn Féin promised to nominate a candidate who would be a game changer and clearly was engaged in serious internal discussions, but in the end opted to support Connolly. Either their preferred candidate declined the nomination, or the party lost its nerve. On the face of it, this was a very winnable contest for a strong Sinn Féin candidate. There are credible reports that the two parties of Government were hugely relieved at Sinn Féin’s non decision.
I accept that Connolly has made some important statements of late about supporting national unity but has not been noticeable for her commitment to the cause in the past. Gavin, who is increasingly sounding like the former Irish football manager, Stephen Kenny, is totally dumb on the matter. His performance in the election will be key in deciding whether the current Taoiseach, Micheál Martin’s long hold on the party will be maintained. A poor result for Gavin would be a blow to his leadership and encourage opposition to him.
Heather Humphries’ comment that a united Ireland must wait for a united Northern Ireland means that she essentially opposes unity even if a majority in the North wants it. While everybody would love to see a united North on the issue, her line of thinking is anti-democratic and a direct violation of the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
The failure to nominate a candidate of its own and its refusal to help nominate some independent candidates, is a very poor signal to the electorate that Sinn Féin offers something new and different to the Republic’s electorate. It has firmly planted itself inside the political consensus tent. This does not bode well for its ability to hold on to its working-class support.
I understand the argument that working with other left wing parties may mean that their supporters will be more inclined to give Sinn Féin candidates at elections their lower order preferences. However, the price of appearing to be a fully committed member of the establishment, might be more detrimental in the longer run.
Sinn Féin will have to define what it stands for. It is caught between its traditional commitment to liberal left-wing values, and the growing alienation of many communities to very liberal social values and illegal immigration, This means it must re-examine its policies in these areas.
Sinn Féin is the only major party in the Republic which keeps the issue of Irish Unity at the forefront. Therefore, its demise would be a serious blow to the cause of securing a border poll and reunification. I feel it blew a big chance to place itself at the forefront of Irish politics in this Presidential election but it shied away at the last moment. More is the pity.
And then there were just three. After all the shape throwing and eccentric candidates with exaggerated claims, when nominations finally closed at midday on Wednesday 24th of September, only three candidates had made it past the nomination stage. The stringent process of getting on the ballot paper had felled potential aspirants such as Bertie Ahern, Colin McGreger, Bob Geldof, Declan Ganley, Maria Stein, etc.
The three remaining aspirants in the field, Jim Gavin (Fianna Fáil), Heather Humphries (Fine Gael) and the candidate of the combined Left, Catherine Connolly (ind.) are hardly likely to catch the imagination of the citizenry. The process is rightly regarded by many as an example of manipulation, or colloquially a stitch up, by the political establishment. It is very clear that official Ireland was not anxious to have outsiders enter the fray. In consequence, the Presidential campaign has been deprived of much of its excitement; we have moved from a potential exciting technicolour election into a monochrome one. The contrast with US and French Presidential elections is stark.
The lack of choice is particularly disappointing for those of us who wished to see the future reunification of Ireland as a major factor in the election. Sinn Féin promised to nominate a candidate who would be a game changer and clearly was engaged in serious internal discussions, but in the end opted to support Connolly. Either their preferred candidate declined the nomination, or the party lost its nerve. On the face of it, this was a very winnable contest for a strong Sinn Féin candidate. There are credible reports that the two parties of Government were hugely relieved at Sinn Féin’s non decision.
I accept that Connolly has made some important statements of late about supporting national unity but has not been noticeable for her commitment to the cause in the past. Gavin, who is increasingly sounding like the former Irish football manager, Stephen Kenny, is totally dumb on the matter. His performance in the election will be key in deciding whether the current Taoiseach, Micheál Martin’s long hold on the party will be maintained. A poor result for Gavin would be a blow to his leadership and encourage opposition to him.
Heather Humphries’ comment that a united Ireland must wait for a united Northern Ireland means that she essentially opposes unity even if a majority in the North wants it. While everybody would love to see a united North on the issue, her line of thinking is anti-democratic and a direct violation of the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
The failure to nominate a candidate of its own and its refusal to help nominate some independent candidates, is a very poor signal to the electorate that Sinn Féin offers something new and different to the Republic’s electorate. It has firmly planted itself inside the political consensus tent. This does not bode well for its ability to hold on to its working-class support.
I understand the argument that working with other left wing parties may mean that their supporters will be more inclined to give Sinn Féin candidates at elections their lower order preferences. However, the price of appearing to be a fully committed member of the establishment, might be more detrimental in the longer run.
Sinn Féin will have to define what it stands for. It is caught between its traditional commitment to liberal left-wing values, and the growing alienation of many communities to very liberal social values and illegal immigration, This means it must re-examine its policies in these areas.
Sinn Féin is the only major party in the Republic which keeps the issue of Irish Unity at the forefront. Therefore, its demise would be a serious blow to the cause of securing a border poll and reunification. I feel it blew a big chance to place itself at the forefront of Irish politics in this Presidential election but it shied away at the last moment. More is the pity.