From Unity, 15 May 2010

All change?

by Lynda Walker

In Britain the Conservative and Liberal Democrat deal is done and the labour left can breathe a sigh of relief. If there were to be a Lab-Lib coalition then there is no doubt the left would have been compromised. As it stands, the Liberals will have no problem supporting Tory cuts. The Lib-Dems have been cutting jobs and services in local councils in England and in some cases they have acted in coalition with the Tories. Just how long the pact will hold remains to be seen, but predictions are that another general election will be held within a twelve-month period. Then people can say, “A vote for the Liberals is a vote for the Tories.”
     In the meantime the election shock waves are beginning to recede here in the North, where the Ulster Unionists (UCUNF) was delivered a severe blow. What was an opportunist move by the Ulster Unionist Party, linking up with the Conservatives, turned out to be disastrous. They forgot that we are at the beginning of the 21st, not the 20th century.
     There have always been working-class unionists, who reject links with the British Tory policy. But by hook or by crook, they were determined to make gains. That is why it was very satisfactory to see Sylvia Hermon (Independent) beating Ian Parsley (UCUNF) by more than 14,000 votes; likewise, the victory of Michelle Gildernew of Sinn Féin, who won with just four votes over Rodney Connor, the “unity” candidate for the UUP and the DUP.
     When Naomi Long (Alliance Party) defeated Peter Robinson, leader of the DUP, there were a few surprised faces. The Alliance Party is seen as middle of the road, the acceptable and lighter version of Unionism, and on this occasion the disenchantment of the electorate with the DUP leader was evident. Naomi Long is one of four women who were elected to Westminster, and she is the first Alliance Party MP. She is the deputy leader of the Alliance Party and the Lord Major of Belfast. Along with leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party, Margaret Ritchie, this is the highest number of women elected as MPs from Northern Ireland. This may give cause to some women’s organisations to celebrate.
     All four women are hard-working politicians, but it is the policies that are important. For example, Naomi Long supported the water charges and is opposed to a woman’s right to choose, as is Margaret Ritchie. Therefore, in terms of class politics we may wait and see what policies they support and in whose interest. Fair play to Sylvia Hermon, who said as soon as she was elected that she had no intention of allying herself with the Conservatives, who intend to cut public spending here. In fact Sylvia Hermon has regularly supported the Labour Party. (Not always a good thing!) She also voted strongly against the replacement of Trident, against hereditary peers, and for increased pensions. On the other hand, she supported the Iraq war and identity cards.
     Sinn Féin won 25.5% of the overall vote, and Gerry Adams increased his percentage of the vote by 71%, in spite of family-associated problems. The DUP and Sinn Féin could see this as a vindication of the policies that they are following at Stormont. With five MPs at Westminster, Sinn Féin could make an impact, but their abstentionist policy will prevent this. They have been criticised for not taking their seats, but the fact is they continue to get elected.
     It could be all change again if another election is called within the next year; and if some form of proportional representation is introduced this will favour the smaller parties. However, it is progressive policies that are needed also, like for example cuts in the massive defence bill and not in social services.

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