Stakeholder

Being a strong advocate of new entrants to the Northern Ireland political scene it’s been somewhat of a let down watching the recruitment process both within the Tories and Fianna Fail

Cameron’s brave new conservatism has boldly declared that it will contest all Northern Ireland constituencies under their clumsily named ‘New Force’. Unsurprisingly, with elections imminent, the inherently sectarian nature of traditional unionist politics rears its ugly head and calls for single unity candidates in South Belfast and Fermanagh/South Tyrone. For these markedly sectarian and out of date political clowns; it’s still a case of any jack ass unionist candidate draped in a Union flag being preferable to a nationalist/catholic representative. These are the people who propose a voluntary coalition government for the Executive but given their base political instincts- who in their right mind would enter a partnership government with them?

The Tories mistakenly believe that the recruitment of low profile and anonymous ‘catholic’ candidates somehow makes them non sectarian. When they or the Unionists put forward a recognisable and credible catholic candidate in a winnable seat then the electorate will know that they are serious about their inclusivity. To date the chances of that happening are as about likely as Tiger Woods advocating monogamy. In fairness the problem for ‘New Force’ lies not within the Conservative side of the partnership but on the Unionist side. Sir Reg Empey as the Leader of Ulster Unionists and Godfather to the new Tory/Unionist alliance is clearly not a sectarian man, clichéd as it sounds, many of his best friends are catholic but he needs to make it as clear as Cameron that masquerading sectarianism under the banner of unionist unity is not acceptable in modern politics. Its risky but necessary.

On the other side of the house, Fianna Fail has been raising the political temperature within nationalism. They have a thriving Cumann at Queens and active fora in South Down, South Armagh, Derry and now it seems Fermanagh. The revelation that Independent MLA Gerry Mc Hugh is a member of Fianna Fail surprised quite a few commentators. It may have surprised some at Fianna Fail Headquarters too.

Fianna Fail is a broad based political Church and it will no doubt attract members in the North from all quarters. It has already attracted a former Ulster Unionist councillor and UDR officer. But in days when Sinn Fein is fielding ex RUC reservists, no-one should be too shocked. McHugh’s membership is hardly an inspired catch. Had they converted the truly independent Kieran Deeny to their ranks one suspects that the SDLP would be more worried- West of the Bann. In the future, Fermanagh could probably provide Fianna Fail with an Assembly seat and if true with supporters like Peter Quinn they will have formidable strategists.

Fianna Fail will hoover up disaffected Provos and while that may seem odd to some, Sinn Fein know that some former comrades are only to willing to do their bit to damage to the Party. Ironically, its Sinn Fein’s destruction of old republican shibboleths such as taking seats in Leinster House and Stormont along with their support for policing and their definition of Real IRA volunteers as ‘traitors’ which has prompted this latent political activism amongst their ex-colleagues.

Traditional republicans in South Armagh outraged by the murder of Paul Quinn are also likely to seek political revenge on Sinn Fein by supporting Fianna Fail. Yet Fianna Fail needs to be wary of these renegade political Greeks bearing gifts- as many ordinary nationalists are likely to be turned off by these recent converts to law, order and mainstream politics.

Despite their self delusional denials, the SDLP know in their heart of hearts the threat Fianna Fail poses in places like Tyrone, Down, Armagh and Fermanagh. If the opposite is true then the apoplexy that some SDLP stalwarts go into when Fianna Fail raises its head in any Northern constituency is both irrational as it is inexplicable.

Like the Tories, if Fianna Fail is to be successful in the North it needs to identify credible new candidates or at least absorb existing political representatives who look to the future and not the past. Fianna Fail should not be in the business of recovering the political flotsam and jetsam of other political parties or maverick individuals.

It would be preferable for Fianna Fail to wait and let the electorate deal with the North’s political deadwood rather than try to give them any credibility with a fresh lick of paint- however green!