Sinn Fein

Gerry Adams

An Irish Republican Party, Sinn Fein wants to end partition. It envisages a united Ireland based on "sustainable social and economic development; genuine democracy, participation, equality and justice...and a lasting and meaningful peace."

Its policies include:

• Self-determination, unity and independence of Ireland as a sovereign state;

• Commitment to its peace strategy, and to a "negotiated and democratic settlement", where real peace is a lasting peace, "not simply the absence of violence";

• The aim of bringing about "full, inclusive, all-party peace talks without pre-conditions."

Elections

Party President Gerry Adams was elected the Member of Parliament for West Belfast from 1983-1992 although he never took his seat.

Sinn Fein received 15.47% of the vote in the elections for the Northern Ireland Forum in 1996, giving the party 17 seats. However, the party has been excluded from the talks until it shows its commitment to a ceasefire.

Gerry Adams re-contested and won back the Belfast West seat at the 1997 General Election. Sinn Fein national executive member, Martin McGuinness, stood in Ulster Mid and won the seat from the incumbent DUP candidate, William McCrea. Significant boundary changes in Ulster Mid contributed to the Unionist to Republican handover in this seat.

On the day of the Queen's Speech, on 14 May, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Betty Boothroyd, barred the two Sinn Fein MPs from using the Commons because they would not pledge allegiance to the Queen. There speculation that the party wants to open an office in London, either in or outside the Palace of Westminster.

Headquarters
Tel: 01232 230261

Sinn Fein Home Page
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