Mowlam hamstrings Patten
Mo Mowlam's views on the Patten Commission, published in Wednesday's
Belfast Telegraph, ring alarm bells. The Secretary of State writes that the
``future of policing in Northern Ireland cannot lie in one of two extreme
positions'', clearly meaning no-change or disbandment.
She further discredits herself by quoting the results of the recent
so-called Community Attitudes Survey, which indicate that over 60% of
Catholics think that the RUC is doing a good job.
At a time when the Patten Commission has been working to look into the
future of policing, this statement shows the manner in which the British
government is trying to undermine the work of a commission publicly
described as independent. More importantly, the statement clearly indicates
that the British government is engineering the work of the commission by
trying to predetermine its outcome.
In the past, British ministers and politicians have always tried to
influence the outcome of inquiries and commissions that they have set up.
By doing so, they have ensured that the final recommendations, rulings and
decisions would suit their own agendas.
Mo Mowlam's comments amount to clear political interference into the work
of a commission, established under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement,
to look into the future of a paramilitary force that has acted as the armed
wing of unionism.
By implying that disbandment is not an option, Mowlam has broken the
promise made to the people of Ireland that the peace process would deliver
true and meaningful change and that all options would be considered when it
came to the future of institutions that in the past have been political
tools directed against the nationalist community.
If the peace process is to mark a truly new beginning, Mowlam and other
British ministers should stick to their promises and wait for the
recommendations of the Patten Commission instead of putting down the
parameters for what the final outcome should be. The credibility of the
peace process and the confidence of the vast majority of the people of the
island depend on it.
Local Power - A National Right
You could be forgiven for having a feeling of deja vu.about this month's
local government elections in the 26 Counties. Eight years ago, there were
also local elections. Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats were in
power and the corruption mill was beginning to grind on with allegations
and disclosures.
Now Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats are back in power, the
corruption mill is still grinding and its election time again. In 1991, the
turnout of 55% was considered to be apallingly low. Now, a poll of 55% next
week would be considered high.
Sinn Féin came out of the 1991 county council elections with six seats.
This time around, the party is aiming to add seats throughout the 26
Counties, with hopes high of breakthroughs in areas such as Kerry, Cork,
Dublin, Donegal, Louth, Leitrim, Limerick, Tipperary, Sligo, Mayo, Galway,
Offaly, Waterford, Meath, Wexford, Wicklow, Clare and Cavan.
When you count in the UDC and Town Commission elections you get a total of
110 Sinn Féin candidates running in 131 wards. Sinn Féin's vote share has
grown since 1991, with gains made in the 1994 local elections as well as
the 1997 Leinster House elections.
Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats are hoping they can pull out
their core vote while the apathetic anti-establishment voters stay at home.
This strategy could backfire, however, as public disillusionment with the
establishment political parties is at an all-time high. Labour and Fine
Gael are approaching the election as if they were never in government
during the 1990s.
In 1991, Sinn Féin entered the local elections with a policy document
called Local Power - A democratic right. This year, the Sinn Féin ard fheis
endorsed a new policy document called Local Power - A national right.
The documents highlight the failure of successive Dublin Governments to
deliver on the promise of local government reform, to devolve real power
and the promise to provide adequate funding for local government.
The only anwer to these governmental failures is to vote Sinn Féin and use
your preferences wisely.
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