Unifying of the left talks are ‘ongoing’

A unified left could lead to a seat in Sligo/Leitrim in the future in addition to a Sinn Féin TD, according to Declan Bree.

The process of uniting the left is something the Independents4Change councillor is involved in at a national level.

“Generally speaking, given the surge in support for Sinn Féin, that created difficulties, but I do believe looking at my vote and Gino’s vote there is space for a left wing Dáil deputy in this constituency in addition to a Sinn Féin deputy.

“Our difficulty throughout the country is the fact that we’re not as united as the right-wing groups and rightwing parties and it is something we will have to examine.

“There have been discussions and negotiations going on behind the scenes over the last couple of years to bring some form of semblance of unity to the left organisations. It hasn’t been successful to date, but I think this election will spur people on.

“We’re working away, over the last 18 months, two years we’ve been working to bring people from different parts of the country together in the hope of establishing a new left political organisation and those discussions are ongoing. I think the results of this election will certainly focus the minds of people.

“The day of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael running the show is finished, this election proves that. In the past it was always Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael with a smaller party as a mudguard. I think those days are gone.”

Bree said there was clear evidence of a groundswell of support for Sinn Féin.

“We could find it on the doorsteps. And the other issue was Marian Harkin who certainly attracts a fair number of votes. Even though we wouldn’t ever describe her as left-wing, with all due respects to her, people did see her as a realistic alternative to Fianna Fail or Fine Gael.”