When this carve-up fails, there will be meaningful change at last
Any real differences between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have long since been consigned to the history books, writes Mary Lou McDonald
THE general election in February delivered a breakthrough mandate for change but, 140 days later, what the public have now got is a carve-up that is anything but.
In unprecedented numbers, people voted for fairness, for progress and for a new direction in Irish politics when they cast their votes.
Sinn Fein won more votes than any other political party.
These were not protest votes; people wanted us to lead a government to deliver the change they voted for.
Throughout the election campaign and since the results came in, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have shown a united front in trying to thwart that desire to do things differently.
Despite this, change is coming. The divide-and-conquer approach will not sustain the two big establishment parties forever.
The days of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael talking down to Sinn Fein and our voters are over.
Since the foundation of the State, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have been the tag team of the establishment, passing the baton of power between them for 100 years.
Faced with the prospect of losing their grip on power, they have now put a century of division behind them and circled the wagons to halt the momentum for change.
Sinn Fein’s mandate — as well as those of other parties who campaigned for change — has forced them to form a double act and to enter government together.
That is ground-breaking and is only the beginning of a fundamental realignment of Irish politics.
We are about to see that any differences between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have long since been consigned to history. Civil
War politics provided a facade for both parties; old scores facilitated the pretence that there was any policy difference of substance between them.
This carve-up rips apart that veneer. If anything, it was long overdue. It might appear a loveless embrace right now, but we are about to see that they are, in fact, the most natural of bedfellows.
Sadly, the Green Party, having turned its back on change, is happy to go along with this.
But when this government fails to deliver, Sinn Fein is ready and willing to lead.
There are no longer just two options in Irish politics. Sinn Fein demonstrated throughout the general election that there was a better way, and there will be a better way in the future.
Our job is to continue and to complete that work. That will be done by those of us who believe in change.
The measure of the Irish people has been illustrated by the manner in which we have dealt with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. It has shown what we can do when we work together with common purpose.
People have had time to reflect. They want to work collectively and persevere to ensure that brighter days will come.
Leading Opposition for the first time, Sinn Fein will make sure the voices of workers and families are heard.
We will offer real and credible plans to deliver affordable housing, a fair and resourced health system and childcare which doesn’t break the bank.
We will continue to insist that workers should have the right to retire with dignity at 65 — if they choose.
And we will continue to work towards Irish unity.
On all of these issues, people are crying out for change after years of failure to deliver real, credible solutions that will improve the lives of ordinary workers and families.
Because workers and families having a good life is not radical thinking. It should be the norm.
As we look to the future and the challenges emerging from the Covid-19 crisis and its economic consequences, ordinary people should not shoulder the burden while banks and vested interests continue unimpeded.
The State should always put workers and families first.
The people led during the general election and their reallife experiences will continue to inform and shape our approach to leading the Opposition. The experiences of ordinary people, not the status quo, will be at the core of our work.
To every person we met on the election trail and the half a million of you who trusted us with your vote, I can tell you that Sinn Fein will not flinch when it comes to standing up for you.
Your voices will be heard — of that I can assure you.