Sinn Fein now largest party, eye First Minister job in North

Posted on Sunday, May 09, 2010 at 01:34 AM

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Sinn Fein have emerged as the largest party in Northern Ireland after this British election, taking 171,000 votes overall to the DUP's 168,000.

If repeated in the Assembly elections next year it would mean that Sinn Fein would elect the First Minister of Northern Ireland,a remarkable turn of events.

Back in 1980, before the hunger strikes, Sinn Fein were at about 2 per cent of the overall vote in Northern Ireland elections.

In a generation they have come from utter political obscurity to leading parry.
Who said Northern Ireland elections were predictable?

Almost unnoticed as well is that Sinn Fein contender Gerry Kelly came within 1,500 votes or so of causing a massive upset in Northern Belfast where Nigel Dodds of the DUP barely held him off.

A victory there would have been an extraordinary outcome, arguably as big an upset as Peter Robinson losing his seat.

There is really no secret to the success. It is leadership and hard work.

While the other nationalist party, the SDLP, built a cult of personality around John Hume and suffered greatly when he left the stage.

Sinn Fein always had a collective leadership that picked the right candidates in the right places.

Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams,(pictured),always insisted on grassroots politics and local personalities an dsharing the limelight as a prerequisite for success

The unionist parties,especially the Ulster Unionist Party, became complacent after decades of being top dogs.

Their political mindset could simply not countenance such dramatic changes in the landscape as have occurred and they were always reacting rather than acting.

Into the gap drove the Sinn Fein machine which has quickly capitalized on the weaknesses in other parties and now has a real shot at the top job in Northern Ireland next year.

Who would have thunk it as they say in The Bronx?

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irishwxman | May 13, 2010, 10:22 PM EDT

olovely you said it perfectly. This is definitely the path to a united Ireland. While I do not agree with Sinn Fein's politics, (they are a far left socialist party) I am happy that nationalists are in the majority and hopefully next year, calling the shots. I'm all for 32 counties. The economy has to sustain itself before this happens though. there is no way the country can sustain two major cities like Dublin and Belfast with the economy the way it is now.

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olovely | May 11, 2010, 12:18 PM EDT

peterrocco, i'm sure i'm not the first to tell you, you're smoking crack. whilst you live in a world of untainted and perfect ideology the rest of us down here in reality recognize a MAJOR political development in Sinn Fein's path to a united Ireland. they have become the largest party in the north without firing a shot. if you can't accept or understand why that's significant you're too far up your own perfectionist fundament.

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CanadianPat | May 10, 2010, 04:32 PM EDT

Step by step we are getting there! Peterrocco, I know it has been slow,but better spend time than spilled blood. Serving the cause does not have to mean sacrificing your or others lives. There was a time when there was no other choice ,but thank God not now.

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peterrocco | May 10, 2010, 07:04 AM EDT

The Provos are Britain's rulers in the North and Her Majesty's Regional authority subject always to Her ultimate authority. The Provos have indeed come a long way from fighting for principles to accepting handouts from the enemy. Their surrender is complete. Congratulations to the British Provisionals on your achievements in the British world of politics. Joiun the ranks of all those who have sold their souls for money and power.

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michealcollins | May 10, 2010, 02:06 AM EDT

Let's see if democracy will prevail. This will be a real test for the British government. What happens if the Unionist refuse to accept the math?

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LaurelFL | May 09, 2010, 07:45 PM EDT

As an American, it is not for me to voice my opinion except to say I am delighted for them. The smiles on their faces tell the story.

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