Ex Sinn Fein Mayor leaves the party.

[merle haggard]

Or Irish people governing themselves, albeit in a partitioned country.

they arent governing themselves , theyre administering foreign rule in Ireland within a British constitutional framework

Socialist Republic, not yet

not ever

but what do you expect with a limited mandate.

not a lot frankly . You though seem to expect both an end to partition and a socialist republic at some stage in the future thanks to the system sinn fein have negotiaiated as our future and which they insist the British government must make clear there is no alternative to .

[derekbhoy]

thanks barry for all the hard work ....think your stance on disillusionment within the republican ranks is not uncommon and indeed does take courage to walk away from a well oiled political machine and go it alone, perhaps the powers to be within the republican leadership are too comfortable and have completely forgotten about the ideals and focus of the party as a whole, which obviously states a United Ireland. cant ever see mc guinness and adams give up there comfortable surroundings within stormont sacraficed for the ultimate goal of a United Ireland.......all this leads to brave men like barry becoming disillusioned and leaving the party.

[cb1979]

With the massive attacks planned on the public service, mass privatisations and the proposed service charges there is the basis for a non sectarian left wing alternative in the north. .

to administer British rule in the place of sinn fein ? No
One that will be subject to DUP and OU vetoes in stormont ? No

or will it be abstentionist ? Im a bit perplexed as to how such an alternative will do business under the British system .

A party of opposition until the movement is large enough to take power

[Alliance]

THB, I always wondered how much of the northern nationalist movement was actually advocating unity seriously and how many wanted, what they saw as, an end to discrimination and a more equal state within the united Kingdom. SF now have gotten a nice piece of the cake and it's leadership has a very nice position within NI. Why would they give it all up? In a united Ireland they'd have only marginal support.

[Sligoboy]

THB, I always wondered how much of the northern nationalist movement was actually advocating unity seriously and how many wanted, what they saw as, an end to discrimination and a more equal state within the united Kingdom. SF now have gotten a nice piece of the cake and it's leadership has a very nice position within NI. Why would they give it all up? In a united Ireland they'd have only marginal support.

Have some respect you crawling little pipsqueak and spell united with a capital 'U'

[rockyracoon]

x

[Weesix]

It won't become a major political current and such resignations are a natural part of the fluidity of politcs and this isn't the start of a huge break up of Sinn Fein.