Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Raymond Blaney Interviewed Anthony McIntyre According to its party manifesto the Greens are the fastest growing political movement in the world. Although Sinn Fein claim to be the only all-Ireland party, the Greens are determined to usurp this. The party has 6 TDs and 2 MEPs supplemented by 'numerous' councillors. Raymond Blaney, initially an independent hospital councillor, who has since joined the Greens, is the party[base ']s only elected representative in the North. It remains a long way off, therefore, from coming close to approaching Sinn Fein[base ']s prominence on an island-wide basis. In next week[base ']s assembly election the party is fielding six candidates and hopes to claim two seats. In South Down where Raymond Blaney is the contender, the Greens are campaigning against the threat from Sellafield; the failure of the state to protect the elderly in their homes; the rural depopulation of South Down; state and paramilitary violence; imposition of water rates; sectarianism and racism. Amongst its goals the party aims to end land and property speculation and to ensure a basic income for all citizens - although it does not say what this income should be. The Greens promise that if elected Raymond Blaney will seek to represent his constituents in coping with the day to day problems of society in which fairness, social justice and decent standards go to the wall when assaulted by crime, greed, sectarianism, and a society driven by image and celebrity. The catchy election slogan is Green is not a colour it[base ']s a vision.[The Blanket: Raymond Blaney Interviewed] Comments: Google It! 5:13:45 PM

Making history Laura Friel By the time this article is read, we will know whether Sinn Féin's hope of an historic breakthrough is political reality rather than aspiration. As the people of the North go to the polls, all signs are fortuitous, with door-to-door canvassing promising a significant swing within the nationalist electorate to Sinn Féin and a new willingness among those who traditionally have not supported the party to switch their allegiance or transfer to Sinn Féin. [AP/RN: Making history] Comments: Google It! 5:03:58 PM

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