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Your
article of the 2nd
of May is, as you indicate, far from original,
revisiting as it does Connolly’s (and others)
analysis of the elements within Republicanism of nationalism,
internationalism and socialism. It is nonetheless
accurate in its historical analysis. It is not however
as accurate in its analysis of the current position
of the Provisional movement. Whilst accepting that
the GFA and the institutions that it brings into being
are sectarian in nature, it is however true that the
sectarianism in these institutions is less abhorrent
than the previous position which almost entirely excluded
a section of the community on sectarian grounds. The
principles behind the GFA are uniting in nature in
that they are intended to form a single entity from
disparate elements. It is therefore inclusive sectarianism
rather than exclusive. In this it is preferable. As
you are aware Sinn Féin has never espoused
the GFA as the final solution but rather as a stepping
stone to a Republican solution. Your assertion that
Sinn Féin in common with other parties supports
PFI is also extremely misleading. In fact the most
recent Ard Fheis carried a motion which reiterated
the opposition to PFI on the grounds that it is a
capitalist policy. Doubtless you can point to recent
initiatives where Sinn Féin has participated
in PFI as members of the northern assembly. These
occasions however were forced upon the incumbent ministers
by virtue of the participation in the governance of
the 6 counties by the people of the six counties,
within what is undeniably a capitalist model.
It is here that the fundamental question of political
tactics arises, and whether it is acceptable to adoopt
a pragmatic approach to attempt to change the system
working from within, and therefore to some degree
empowered, or whether it is essential to work from
outside all political institutions from a position
of political impotence. Your assertion that only the
unification of the working class can bring about the
crushing of sectarianism is undeniable. Sinn Féin
are striving to achieve this as exemplified by Alex
Maskey during his tenure as Mayor of Ireland’s
second city.
It
is well documented that there are major disagreements
between sections of Republicanism in terms of what
is seen as the best approach to realising the secession
of the six counties from British imperialism. It is
however disingenuous and damagingly divisive to attempt
to deny the Republican credentials of those who have,
at this time, chosen the pragmatic political route,
and creates a division that serves only those imperialists
that you claim to detest.
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