Our man done good
BY NED KELLY
``Any political party would be more than happy with doubling its vote,'' was
the response of T.C., manager of the Sinn Féin election `machine' in West
Belfast, to the question of what republicans can take away from the 117,643
first preference votes cast for Mitchel McLaughlin in last week's European
election. Last time out, Sinn Fein had polled just over 55,000 first
preferences.
Despite what others may say about the party missing out on the third
European seat, the feeling among election workers was that in putting down
a clear marker, there is evidence that there is now a large enough
nationalist electorate to secure two European seats.
Speaking to election workers after the count on Monday night, the effort
that went into the massive gains was obviously hard won. In West Belfast
alone, over 500 people gave time, energy and enthusiasm to the campaign.
People put up posters in the pouring rain, put leaflets through doors, and
importantly, canvased up and down the Six Counties, including areas that
has rarely seen Sinn Féin political activists on the ground.
There was catering, transport, printing, then there was the commitment
given by people literally coming out of the woodwork on the day. One of the
best sights was the huge number of young people involved in the campaign,
which was especially noticeable outside the polling stations all day
Thursday.
That the UUP took a massive dent in its vote, that David Ervine outpolled
McCartney, that the SDLP strategy of calling for nationalists to vote for
Hume in the popularity contest with Paisley didn't pay off and that Paisley
sang his ``doxology'', proclaiming glory to his maker and to celebrate his
victory, tells us that while so many things have changed, on the other hand
they have remained so much the same in political life in the Six Counties.
From the campaign trail, there were the stories of the mad dash through
dangerous, previously uncharted territory.
d word is that McCartney did turn to wave at Gerry Adams after Adams
congratulated him before dropping the smile and walking away to be heard
cursing to himself down the corridors.
But back to Paisley, the man whose hero is `B' Special Inspector Nixon, the
man responsible for the brutal McMahon murders and very much in the Carson
mould. Although he did top the poll, securing192,000 votes, a full 70% of
the North's electorate voted for parties that support the Good Friday
Agreement.
``That majority needs listening to'', stated Mitchel McLaughlin.
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