Who are you voting for and why ?

dlofnep wrote: »

I'm interested in that, given that many of the reasons you've cited for supporting Labour, are also Sinn Féin policies.



Sinn Féin are also focused on job creation, through a job stimulus package. Guess who also pressed for a job stimulus package to get people back to work? That's right, Labour.



Sinn Féin are also supportive of universal health insurance, believing that healthcare is a basic right of the people.



Sinn Féin are also opposed to third level fees, and believe that access to third-level education should be accessible by all.

Now whether you like Sinn Féin or not, that's an entirely different story. But I find it a little weak to make such a statement, and then use the examples that you've given.

Back to the original question - I would vote for Sinn Féin. There's no mystery as to why. All Sinn Féin councillors or TD's I've ever interacted with have worked hard on my behalf, without a bat of an eye. They are an average industrial wage and the rest goes back into the party (Even TD's). This shows me that unlike some, they are not in it for the paycheck alone.

They have policies that I feel Ireland needs, which benefits the most vulnerable in society. Those from disadvantaged backgrounds need state assistance, whether it be for healthcare - or attempting to try and better their position by going to college. Some other posters firmly believe that we shouldn't subsidise people going to college - but I disagree.

Sinn Féin works from a bottom-up approach. Most councillors and activists come from working class backgrounds, so they all know what it is to endure hardship. It's very easy for some wealthy politician to tell us what's best for us - but when you've grown up knowing struggle - you have a different outlook on how important state support is in aiding people to break out of hardship and progress further in life.

Sinn Féin is active on the social equality scene - engaging in many protests for gay & lesbian equality, anti-racism marches and so forth. Having been active within Sinn Féin circles - I know that people are genuinely supportive of the Gay & Lesbian community.

Sinn Féin has worked hard in working class estates, on anti-drugs campaigns. They have worked hard in the inner cities on highlighting the issue of homelessness.

To me - they are a party that is full of hard-working people, who are willing to do whatever they can to help. The Thatcherite politics that other people want to see to clean up Ireland will only increase the levels of poverty and inequality, as seen in 1980's Britain. The figures don't lie.

That was a Party Political Broadcast on behalf of the Sinn Féin Party.