McLaughlin confident as 6 Co. Euro campaign kicks-off
By Caítlin Doherty
Mitchell McLaughlin is confident that the forthcoming European
election can be a great success and that there is for the first time
a chance that Sinn Féin could obtain the MEP's seat. Speaking in West
Belfast, the Sinn Féin chairperson and Assembly member for Foyle
said: ``European elections have traditionally proved difficult for
Sinn Féin. However, in the period that elapsed since the last EU
election there has been a considerable change in the political
landscape.
]
He went on to say that the Sinn Féin vote has increased
substantially. ``Our Assembly election vote of 143,000 is actually
greater than the vote received by Ulster Unionist, Jim Nicholson when
he secured a seat in Europe. Even a cursory examination of the
statistics will show that from a Sinn Féin perspective there is
everything to play for''.
Monday marks the official launch of the electoral campaign, but
already efforts are underway across the Six Counties. Canvassing has
started in many areas and is only set to intensify.
``We are up early and up and running, said Six Counties director of
elections Ruth Lynch.''
It is not yet known what the election quotas will be, but Sinn Féin
activists are confident that the 12 June poll will be an occasion to
maximise the Sinn Féin vote, not only across the Six Counties, but
also across the entire island.
The role played by the European Union in Irish society is an ever
growing one. Securing a voice in Europe is a further way for
republicans to push the agenda of peace, justice and equality as well
as economic, social, political and cultural issues that will
increasingly affect the lives of Irish citizens.
If you are interested in participating in Sinn Féin's European
Election campaign, anywhere in the 32 counties, please contact your
local Sinn Féin representative or office
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)