Parties from the Republic contesting northern elections?

Gearoid

In the last few months both Fianna Fáil and Labour have said that they intend at some stage in the future to organise in the north. this may have sizeable consequences on politics there. While it would certainly move the normalisation of things and bring us closer to a United Ireland it would also split the nationalist vote unless Labour can appeal to everyone across the political spectrum and possibly gain voters, Labour was an all-Ireland party until the SDLP was set up Labour instructed all its cumanns in the north to change to SDLP and then went south. so the question is should the southern parties contest elections in the north? this primarily a debate but i'll throw in a poll too.

Sparks

Eomar probably has a better opinion, but my first instinct is to say that an alternative to Sinn Fein can't be a bad thing.
Mind you, I think that Fianna Fail showing up in NI might be casus belli given their history here...

Éomer of Rohan

I must confess, to have an organised Labour Party up here, prepared to abandon the traditional SDLP vote - that is Catholic middle class - would be a dream come true - especially with regard to de-sectarianising politics up here. As for splitting the Nationalist/Republican vote, I reckon that'd be only fair given the splits in the Unionist/Loyalist vote LOL - but seriously, it would be vital for Labour to be portrayed as a non-religious based organisation and for any Labour movement to break free of the opposition of the churches (which shouldn't be relevent to a political movement but so often is) in the North.

mike65

It must surely be a sign of desperation to welcome voting for FF/FG/Labour etc....!

Mike.

Éomer of Rohan

Have you ever heard the parties up here when they go out and campaign against something? I swear the best party we have up here (in mainstream politics) is the UUP - and that is coming from a socialist. Mind you, the SP intend standing for Belfast West and South more than likely; and we have an excellent chance of winning south.

Gearoid

Come on people surely you have something to say!