Sinn Féin councillor elected Deputy Mayor
by Laura Friel
It was a historic moment as Sinn Féin Councillor Marie Moore took her place
as the duly elected deputy mayor for Belfast this week. ``When I started out
years ago,'' a beaming Marie Moore told An Phoblacht, ``I never imagined I'd
become Belfast's deputy mayor.'' Formally bedecked with her chain of office
and taking her seat beside the new mayor, Ulster Unionist Bob Stoker, Marie
described her election as ``the beginning of a new era''. An era in which all
the citizens of the city would be properly represented.
The dignity with which the first woman in Sinn Féin to be elected as deputy
mayor accepted her chain of office contrasted with the angry scenes which
preceded the election. The support of the Alliance Party and SDLP, which
secured the post for Sinn Féin, was condemned by the DUP, who demanded a
recorded vote. Despite unionist opposition, Councillor Moore was returned
by 26 votes to 25.
Several unionists left the chamber as the new deputy mayor promised to
``leave no stone unturned'' in trying to work with everyone, even those who
don't support her. Congratulations extended by the deputy to the mayor on
his election success remained unreciprocated as the visibly stunned Ulster
Unionist watched fellow unionists desert the hall.
``Seventeen years ago, Alex Maskey was returned to this council as the sole
elected member of Sinn Féin,'' said Marie. ``Since then, Sinn Féin has
campaigned for equality, fairness and proportionality throughout the civic
structure.'' All parties have the right to proper access to civic positions,
she said.
``Tonight, the right of our electorate to be recognised fairly has been
asserted.'' Describing the role of deputy mayor of Belfast as a challenge,
Marie said she hoped to work hard to represent all the citizens of the
city, challenging divisions and building links between communities.
Sinn Féin's electoral rise in the city of Belfast began in the early 1980s.
Since the election of Alex Maskey in 1983, the party has risen to become
the largest in Belfast city council, returning 13 councillors, just ahead
of the Ulster Unionists. Sinn Féin's meteoric rise, in what was once
considered the seat of unionist power, is the fruit of consistent hard
working activists on the ground.
It has often been hazardous as well as arduous. In the late 1980s, Sinn
Féin's electoral gains were followed by an intense campaign of intimidation
by unionists and loyalist paramilitaries. Within the council chambers, Sinn
Féin members were verbally and physically attacked, while on the outside,
12 party members were killed in loyalist attacks.
Marie Moore was elected as a councillor for the Lower Falls in May 1993.
During her six years as an elected representative, Marie has sat on various
committees and subcommittees, including health, environment and policy and
resources. She is currently deputy chairperson of the contracts committee.
In another significant victory, Marie Moore and party colleague Sean Hayes
were elected onto two statutory bodies last July.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)