Sinn Fein was a party that I once had a massive amount of respect for. It was a party that developed itself into an electoral machine and also played its part in developing one of the best revolutionary organisations in modern history. Unfortunately in recent years Sinn Fein has become more central in regards to its ideological outlook and has become solely interested in electoralism.
This new found constitutional nationalism and the previous experience of the movement has helped develop Sinn Fein into a mighty electoral machine, opening the door for opportunists, careerists, businessmen and the middle classes. Sinn Fein now plays its part in the vicious cycle of republicanism and constitutionalism that has seen the rise and fall of Fine Gael in the 20s, Fianna Fail in the 30s and now Sinn Fein in the present.
Ultimately Sinn Fein is doomed to be consumed by the status quo and as the old guard die out their once revolutionary spirit will fade away to a distant memory as they are replaced by the yuppies and the trendy baby Shinners.
Now I don’t really like criticising Sinn Fein for the sake of it as I don’t want to be seen as another Sinn Fein basher but recently I have become very critical of their actions in their pursuit for electoral success. I have also stated before that I give credit when it is due but recently all I have seen from Sinn Fein is hypocrisy.
As the British Westminster elections draw near Sinn Fein are pulling out all the stops in West Belfast. The area is a stronghold for them but with the unexpected success of Gerry Carroll in the council election last year and his active campaigning team in this election it is clear that Sinn Fein are worried. As a result they have plastered West Belfast in green, hundreds of Sinn Fein and Paul Maskey posters, giant billboards and they have even let the baby Shinners within Sinn Fein Republican Youth loose.
We all know the baby Shinners. We see them marching as toy soldiers at Easter, on social media spouting an Ireland of Equals but demonising any dissenter, campaigning against Tory cuts while their own party leadership facilitates those very cuts via the Stormont Agreement and they protest in Solidarity with Basque political prisoners while ignoring the fact that Republican political prisoners lie in a British Gaol less than 30 miles away! We all know who these baby Shinners are and what they are good for.
With paint brush in hand the baby Shinners are dispatched to paint slogans on walls and spread rumours. They rip down the oppositions posters and destroy their electoral property. They are let loose on social media to spread lies and to try and belittle their political opponents. From this I no longer see a revolutionary organisation but a group of baby opportunists and careerists involved in machoism and acts that are reminiscent of fascism and no doubt these kids will be the future leadership of Sinn Fein in Belfast.
It might be understandable if these kids were protecting the revolution or advancing the cause but they are ensuring any opposition does not stand a chance. There is no doubt that Sinn Fein is a massive organisation with huge amounts of resources and a mighty electoral machine but why does it fear a small party and feel the need to throw everything it has at that small party and pull out all the dirty stops and tricks? Do they think that their stronghold is on the verge of collapse?
This is all in the defence of Paul Maskey. Paul spouts left wing politics now and again but he is nothing but an opportunist and careerist. I don’t know a left wing radical that would scab on his fellow workers like Paul Maskey did in a local Belfast firm several years ago.
I look forward to the baby Shinners attacking me in defence of their glorious leadership but I hope that they will stop their silly, childish actions and fight a fair fight. One day they might see some sense but it is probably more likely they will end up in nice cosy jobs courtesy of the ‘Republican Movement’.
This new found constitutional nationalism and the previous experience of the movement has helped develop Sinn Fein into a mighty electoral machine, opening the door for opportunists, careerists, businessmen and the middle classes. Sinn Fein now plays its part in the vicious cycle of republicanism and constitutionalism that has seen the rise and fall of Fine Gael in the 20s, Fianna Fail in the 30s and now Sinn Fein in the present.
Ultimately Sinn Fein is doomed to be consumed by the status quo and as the old guard die out their once revolutionary spirit will fade away to a distant memory as they are replaced by the yuppies and the trendy baby Shinners.
Now I don’t really like criticising Sinn Fein for the sake of it as I don’t want to be seen as another Sinn Fein basher but recently I have become very critical of their actions in their pursuit for electoral success. I have also stated before that I give credit when it is due but recently all I have seen from Sinn Fein is hypocrisy.
As the British Westminster elections draw near Sinn Fein are pulling out all the stops in West Belfast. The area is a stronghold for them but with the unexpected success of Gerry Carroll in the council election last year and his active campaigning team in this election it is clear that Sinn Fein are worried. As a result they have plastered West Belfast in green, hundreds of Sinn Fein and Paul Maskey posters, giant billboards and they have even let the baby Shinners within Sinn Fein Republican Youth loose.
We all know the baby Shinners. We see them marching as toy soldiers at Easter, on social media spouting an Ireland of Equals but demonising any dissenter, campaigning against Tory cuts while their own party leadership facilitates those very cuts via the Stormont Agreement and they protest in Solidarity with Basque political prisoners while ignoring the fact that Republican political prisoners lie in a British Gaol less than 30 miles away! We all know who these baby Shinners are and what they are good for.
With paint brush in hand the baby Shinners are dispatched to paint slogans on walls and spread rumours. They rip down the oppositions posters and destroy their electoral property. They are let loose on social media to spread lies and to try and belittle their political opponents. From this I no longer see a revolutionary organisation but a group of baby opportunists and careerists involved in machoism and acts that are reminiscent of fascism and no doubt these kids will be the future leadership of Sinn Fein in Belfast.
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It might be understandable if these kids were protecting the revolution or advancing the cause but they are ensuring any opposition does not stand a chance. There is no doubt that Sinn Fein is a massive organisation with huge amounts of resources and a mighty electoral machine but why does it fear a small party and feel the need to throw everything it has at that small party and pull out all the dirty stops and tricks? Do they think that their stronghold is on the verge of collapse?
This is all in the defence of Paul Maskey. Paul spouts left wing politics now and again but he is nothing but an opportunist and careerist. I don’t know a left wing radical that would scab on his fellow workers like Paul Maskey did in a local Belfast firm several years ago.
I look forward to the baby Shinners attacking me in defence of their glorious leadership but I hope that they will stop their silly, childish actions and fight a fair fight. One day they might see some sense but it is probably more likely they will end up in nice cosy jobs courtesy of the ‘Republican Movement’.
I’m afraid to say that the revolutionary spirit the old guard had died in the 80s after they contested their first elections. If you look at the Maskey family and their venture into politics they have become a political dynasty. Alex is possible the longest serving SF politician and then his brother Liam took up the mantle for several years and now we have Paul.
ReplyDeleteIt says a lot for middle class families in the late 19 century who had 3 sons. One son went into the church, the other into the army and the runt usually went into politics.
Mal Higgins
Good article, particularly on role of the baby Shinners.
ReplyDeleteI can remember speaking to a number of them before they were re-branded by their CEO.
The ones I came into contact with seem to have gained the respect of their peers on the back of what their parents/family may have done in the war, not through their own struggle/activism.
The baby shinners are the embodiment of Napolean's dogs in Animal Farm.
The cute pups from chapter one loyally laying at their masters feet turn into the sheep dogs of society. Ready to bark, chase and bite whoever has been designated a comrade of 'Snowball' and a dissident to Napolean.
Sinn Fein will likely always have many honest, hard working activists with the best intentions to improve things. Many have spent their lives agitating, protesting & more.
The problem some have is it is easier to continue to believe in the party, then to critically analyse party policy, Ard Fheis motions & what their leaders mean.
In a previous article on TPQ via 107 Cowgate http://thepensivequill.am/2015/03/partition-as-perpetual-crisis.html.
Jim Slaven gave an in depth analysis of recent SF policy. Going on to describe them as 'Ideologically promiscuois.'
Hard to be more accurate than Jim's two words.
The last time Maskey stood in west Belfast he saw the lowest turn out ever, it's my view Carroll could lift it in a surprise move. Everybody is watching East Belfast to see who the winner will be between Alliance and the DUP but it's my view this will be the real interesting one to watch. Carroll is also canvassing on the Shankill road across community lines, that's to his credit. West Belfast is covered in Sinn fein posters but Carroll has not done so bad with his either. Gerry is the only one so far to canvass our house, there's been no sign of the rest of them. I would lay money on him denting Sinn feins vote badly or lifting the seat altogether.
ReplyDeleteGerard,
ReplyDeletethere is as much chance of me taking that seat from Maskey as there is of Gerry C doing it. Like Belfast Marxist I wish Gerry well but I imagine things are too deeply ingrained for SF to lose that seat. They could bring Scap back and run him as a hero of the peace process and he would get in. They would make excuses by the dozen and tell you to see the big picture and if it is alright to shake hands with the Queen it is okay to run somebody like Scap to fool unionism - all the usual shit but he would get in.