And yet, despite outward appearances, the ‘gut’ feeling engendered by the result can only be one of disillusionment.
It surely disheartens to see the nationalist vote finally outstripping its unionist counterpart only for it to be steered down the path being taken by the new Sinn Féin. For the ‘agreed’ Ireland of O’Neill and McDonald — stooges, of course, for Kearney and his ilk — will be a pale imitation of the Ireland for which so many fought across the years, too many of whom paid the supreme sacrifice.
It saddens to think that their vote in many ways results from their being linked to that struggle of the past. And yet they are wasting it — on orders from their ‘betters’ no doubt — to make sure that the objects of that struggle are disabled. Opportunism and sycophancy are motivators for some; for others a darker causality lies hidden.
Who knows what will be the final detail of it all but, suffice to say, this compromised arrangement will be laced with every manner of concession — concession that ultimately serves to protect and give endurance to Britain’s continued involvement in our country.
New Sinn Féin’s vote could easily be put to a much better use but alas. The Brit, as ever, has done his work well. What a waste of such massive potential, of political capital that could have been used to build a genuine Republican base seeking genuine Republican outcomes. That is what ultimately lies at the heart of Thursday’s result.
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Sean Bresnahan is an independent Republican from Co. Tyrone who blogs @ Claidheamh Soluis. Follow Sean Bresnahan on Twitter @bres79 |
Those who negate the perennial tensions that voters struggle with will tend to be disappointed. The electorate is unlikely to prefer distant and abstract issues such as those of the irredentists. People's motivations are more immediate and personal.
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