Leadership tour rolls on
BY CAITLIN DOHERTY
There could have been a sense that interest would gently fade as the
canvass for the Six Counties European election intensified. Across the
North however these last weeks the response has exceeded all expectations
and the suspense is rising as the 10 June elections approach.
On Saturday, the arrival of European candidate and party chairperson
Mitchel McLaughlin and Sinn Féin's freshly-appointed honorary
vice-president Joe Cahill woke the quite Antrim coast.
In Ballycastle, the response was warm as they strode by the shops of
Ballycastle, accompanied by local activists.
In Cushendall the pubs were packed with Belfast Celtic fans enjoying a few
quiet moments before the kick-off. Photo sessions were followed by
discussions on the current stalemate of the peace process.
The next stop took the two senior figures to Waterfoot and Toome where the
response on the doorsteps was as welcoming as the scenery.
In Glengormley, Mitchel McLaughlin and Joe Cahill teamed up with Saoirse
chairman Martin Meehan and a mighty team of canvassers. The importance of
using the first preference to ensure the election of a second nationalist
was lengthily explained.
The hike across North and South Antrim, where Sinn Féin is taking steps to
maximise the vote, gave a good taste of the potential in this election.
Electors were very receptive to the message that this poll is a unique
opportunity to return a second nationalist MEP. Mitchel McLaughlin assured
them that, provided nationalists used their vote sensibly, there was a
solid chance of swaying a unionist seat and guaranteeing a republican voice
in the influential European institution.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)