The
March election campaign is now under way and there
is a range of candidates going forward on a stated
stance of opposition to British Policing in Ireland.
This common thread is a unifying call for the
Republican and Nationalist community to exercise
their right to register their misgivings and opposition
to the acceptance of the PSNI/RUC, MI5 and the
whole British intelligence services operating
illegally in Ireland.
It
also allows the people to voice their opposition
to the continued sectarian politics of the British
inspired Stormont Deal as agreed under the St.
Andrews agreement.
Policing is both the visual spectacle of the British
Government's illegal sovereign claim to the six
occupied counties and also remains their bulwark
against Irish unification. This has never been
acceptable in the past and is not acceptable now
despite statements from pro-establishment parties
that it is a work in progress. It is not, and
this is borne out by the British and Dublin governments
assertions that the constitutional question is
settled from their respective positions.
Therefore those advocating the stepping stone
formula are deluding themselves and are not being
honest with the Irish people.
This is evident by their refusal to tell the Irish
people exactly how they will achieve their stated
objectives by administering British Rule in Ireland.
The Anti British Policing candidates come from
varying backgrounds, however that should not deter
anyone from voting for them.
Equally the candidates should not interpret the
vote as anything other than what it is, opposition
to British policing and British law in Ireland.
These candidates are honourable and principled
people and deserve the peoples vote on this issue.
Already the perception is being created by the
establishment media and the establishment parties
that these candidates have no prospects of securing
credible support. This is rubbish and these sentiments
are being expressed to divert attention away from
the real issue of British policing and the deep
unease which this issue is having within the nationalist
and republican community.
Throughout the ongoing Anti British Policing debates
large numbers have attended and clearly reflected
this unease at the continuance of British policing
and British Rule in Ireland.
This clearly demonstrates that the republican
position is strong. British policing is the unifying
issue for all republicans and the Nationalist
community to register their opposition to it.
Equally
this mandate post election will allow the candidates
and the republican base to democratically decide
how that mandate is used in stepping up the campaign
against British policing.
I
take this opportunity to wish all the candidates
well in their challenge to British policing in
Ireland and urge the Nationalist/Republican people
to register their vote against British policing
in our country.