Conor Murphy goes to Toryland

[Libero]

From Sinn Féin's own website:
"Sinn Féin MP for Newry & Armagh Conor Murphy will tomorrow travel to speak at a debate on the fringes of the British Conservative party conference in Blackpool.

This will be the first occasion that Sinn Féin have appeared at the annual Tory conference."
...as opposed to the annual Tory conference's hotel.

Conor tells us
" Tomorrow I will be the first Irish republican to speak at an event attached to the British Conservative Party conference. Given the record of the British Tory party and their policy towards Ireland over many years this event will provide for the first time an opportunity for Sinn Féin to place on the record the fact that there are those who share a different vision of the future. And in particular a different vision of the future relationship between Ireland and Britain."
As if the Tories need him to inform them of that fact. As if they'd never have guessed...

Anyone have any news on how things went for Mr. Murphy? Our SF friends have been kinda quiet about this story so far.

[KingKane]

Would he seriously be the first Irish Republican to speak at a Tory party conference?

[duff]

Good ol Sinn Féin, such a great socialist and republican party Speaking at a conferance of a party who when in the British government.
Murdered our people and tortured our P.O.W.'s.


I can still remember that statement. "You have to be lucky always, We only have to be lucky once"

[rockofcashel]

true enugh Duff.. but maybe he's goin to walk onstage, give em the finger, stick out his tongue and walk off...

and as for Kanes remark. He's the first recognised Republican to address them. They didn't know you lot were Republicans either :wink:

[duff]

A Sinn Fein MP today sparked fury at the Conservative Party conference by telling delegates he did not regret the Brighton bombing.

Conor Murphy said the 1984 bombing of the Tory conference was part of a war.

He said his only regret was that people had been driven to violence.

Mr Murphy was the first member of his party to take part in a debate during a Conservative conference.

Speaking at a fringe meeting in Blackpool, Mr Murphy was asked if he regretted the bombing. He said: "At the time I certainly did not regret it, I will be honest with you. I think it was part of a war, which was a very difficult war between the people of the island of Ireland.

"I regret that it came to a situation where people felt they had to take on violence in order to pursue their political ends."

But his comments were condemned by opponents.

Ulster Unionist assembly member David Burnside, who was in the Brighton hotel at the time of the bombing, turned on Mr Murphy, MP for Newry and Armagh.

He said: "You blew up the centre of the democratic movement in the UK, the elected government of this country, and you have no remorse or regret that these murders were carried out and you should lower your head."

Today`s meeting took place almost 21 years after the Provisionals detonated a bomb which killed five people at the Conservative conference in Brighton. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had a narrow escape in the attack on the Grand Hotel.

Shadow Northern Ireland secretary David Lidington said later: "These comments show the distance republicans still have to travel. Whatever grievance republicans have had in the past that does not justify taking a single human life."

Mr Lidington, speaking at the same event, added: "The thing that now would demonstrate they have put that terrorist past behind them would be a clear endorsement of the rule of law and the authority of the police. That they have yet to do."

Ahem Conor it was a war against the British occupation.

[KingKane]

true enugh Duff.. but maybe he's goin to walk onstage, give em the finger, stick out his tongue and walk off...

and as for Kanes remark. He's the first recognised Republican to address them. They didn't know you lot were Republicans either :wink:

rock, I think I asked a question not made a remark. And I meant it seriously, surely someone else who would be generally considered an Irish republican by people within the Republican movement has gone to a Tory party conference. Are there any FFers out there who can answer that?

[mjcoughlan]

Some people should just stick to their own kind.

[Bogwarrior]

Didn't Sean O Callaghan (former Provo tout) from Kerry, speak at one of these Tory Conferances? I know it's a stretch calling him a "Republican", though he was once, I'm sure. Till he, ...denounced violence, gave up arms dumps, and condemned his former comrades..
Maybe Murphy's following his footsteps.

[BarryW]

And if Brian Hayes spoke at this Rockofcashel would call him a Unionist and a West Brit!

Come on ROC: Where's your red face, foot stamping, and righteous indignation towards Conor Murphy for this heinous crime, hmm??

"This will be the first occasion that Sinn Féin have appeared at the annual Tory conference."
...as opposed to the annual Tory conference's hotel

Touché

[ChrIreland]

And if Brian Hayes spoke at this Rockofcashel would call him a Unionist and a West Brit!

Come on ROC: Where's your red face, foot stamping, and righteous indignation towards Conor Murphy for this heinous crime, hmm??

"This will be the first occasion that Sinn Féin have appeared at the annual Tory conference."
...as opposed to the annual Tory conference's hotel

Touché

I think you need to hear what Conor said first before you jump to conclusions.