NI council election results for independent republican and socialist candidates May 25, 2023
Posted by guestposter in Uncategorized.trackback
Many thanks to LOR for the following:
INDEPENDENT REPUBLICANS
Collin Julieann McNally came 10th out of 13 candidates, 368 first preference votes
Sperrin Paul Gallagher came 5th out of 14 candidates, 1042 first preference votes – elected
Sperrin Raymond Barr came 7th out of 14 candidates, 985 votes – elected
The Moor Gary Donnelly, came first out of 9 candidates, 1868 first preference votes – elected
Erne East Eamon Keenan came 6th out of 9 candidates, 560 first preference votes
Erne East Tina McDermott came 9th out of 9 candidates, 238 first preference votes
Erne West Paul McGoldrick came 7th out of 8 candidates, 506 votes
Dungannon Barry Monteith came 4th out of 12 candidates, 1180 first preference votes -elected
Dungannon Marian Vincent came 6th out of 12 candidates, 628 first preference votes
Torrent Dan Kerr came 3rd out of 10 candidates, 1395 first preference votes – elected
Torrent Teresa Quinn came 9th out of 10 candidates, 622 first preference votes
Clogher Valley Kevin McElvogue came 4th out of 8 candidates, 1361 first preference votes – elected
IRSP
Black Mountain Dan Murphy, came 10th out of 13 candidates, 426 first preference votes
Court Michael Kelly came out 9th out of 14 candidates, 399 first preference votes
WORKERS PARTY
Black Mountain Ursula Meighan came 11th out of 13 candidates, 185 first preference votes
Botanic Paddy Lynn came 13th out of 14 candidates, 89 first preference votes
Castle Lily Kerr came last out of 10 candidates, 86 first preference votes
Collin Patrick Crossan came last out of 13 candidates, 83 first preference votes
Court Tony Walls came 13th out of 14 candidates, 85 first preference votes
Oldpark Fiona McCarthy came last out of 13 candidates, 46 first preference votes
Newry Nicola Grant came last out of 11 candidates, 104 first preference votes
PEOPLE BEFORE PROFIT
Black Mountain Matt Collins came 8th out of 13 candidates, 1316 first preference votes – lost his seat
Botanic Sipho Sibanda came 11th out of 14 candidates, 308 first preference votes
Castle Barney Doherty came 9th out of 10 candidates, 250 first preference votes
Collin Michael Collins came 6th out of 13 candidates, 1193 first preference votes – elected
Court Cailín McCaffery came 7th out of 14 candidates, 408 first preference votes
Lisnasharragh Nick Cropper came last out of 11 candidates, 200 first preference votes
Oldpark Fiona Ferguson came 7th out of 13 candidates, 700 first preference votes – lost her seat
Ormiston Fiona Doran came last out of 13 candidates, 117 first preference votes
Coleraine Amy Louise Merron came last out of 11 candidates, 247 first preference votes
Ballyarnett Damien Doherty came 8th out of 9 candidates, 727 first preference votes
Derg Adam McGinley came 9th out of 10 candidates, 112 first preference votes
Faughan Damian Gallagher came 9th out of 10 candidates, 310 first preference votes
Foyleside Shaun Harkin came 3rd out of 8 candidates, 979first preference votes – elected
Sperrin Carol Gallagher came 13th out of 14 candidates, 226 first preference votes
The Moor Maeve O’Neill came 6th out of 9 candidates, 578 first preference votes – lost her seat
Waterside Davina Pulis came last out of 10 candidates, 388 first preference votes
CROSS-COMMUNITY LABOUR ALTERNATIVE
Enniskillen Donal O’Cofaigh came 10th out of 11 candidates, 504 first preference votes – lost his seat
Dungannon Gerry Cullen came 11th out of 12 candidates, 268 votes
SOCIALIST PARTY
Botanic Neil Moore came 12th out of 14 candidates, 149 first preference votes
Omagh Amy Ferguson came last out of 10 candidates, 75 first preference votes
The Cedar Lounge Revolution 
Isn’t one of the Sperrin Independents at least very close to the IRSP?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Paul Gallager is, or was, afaik.
LikeLike
Next question: What are the hidden affiliations, if any, of these various”independent republicans”. E.G. are any linked to Saoradh? Or any linked to the various tiny disso armed groups?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think a number are or have associated with proscribed organizations in the past. Hence, “independent Republican”, much more palatable than say 32CSM etc.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Julieann McNally is associated with the Republican Network for Unity
LikeLike
The three elected in Tyrone are affiliated to the 1916 Societies. Paul Gallagher is semi-affiliated to the IRSP. Gary Donnelly possibly still with the 32csm
LikeLike
Raymond Barr is a brother of the late Ivan Barr who was originally in OSF and later a massive vote getter for SF.As far as I know Raymond would be a genuine independent with no hidden or Disso affiliations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Less that 700 votes for the WP across the whole of NI, out of 745k votes cast. Less than 0.1%. Fewer total votes than the IRSP, despite having 7 WP candidates compared to 2 IRSP candidates. Less than 10% of the PBP total vote, or adjusted to closer to 20% per candidate, 16 PBP compared to 7 WP candidates.
I wasn’t involved in this campaign, I’m not currently a member of the party, but I fail to see anything positive whatsoever in the result from a WP perspective. One can put on the brave face and point to the number of younger women candidates standing for the first time, about the election being part of a re-consolidation process following the 2021 split, about the landslide for SF and the doubling down of the DUP votes being a victory for the competing Irish and British nationalisms and so on. But it’s grim.
To some extent I’ve lost the faith here. I’m not viewing the ongoing determination of the dedicated few, in the face of defeat after defeat over decades, as being something to be admired. Yes, defeatist talk. So as the social media meme says, prove me wrong…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it’s inevitable that groups will wax and wane. And some will come and go, whatever the sincere effort put into them.
If you think about how it took a range of dynamics for the WP (and this is true of many other groups) to come to the fore in the 1980s in terms of its greatest popularity and electoral success, it’s clearly contingent on so much that could go one way or another.
The WP itself had changed from the early 1970s OSF and would arguably change again. Whether the best approach is, as you point to, going out to face the electorate time and again to diminishing returns is another issue again.
One question I think that always has to be asked in almost every aspect of life is what is the intended and achievable outcome of any course of action? And what is the alternative if that outcome isn’t achieved? In some ways (and this isn’t meant overly critically), it seems to me that the function of political parties that aren’t electorally successful is under-considered and the possible alternative approaches unexplored.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Reality is the WP is finished. It’ll continue to exist as a tiny sect with a Facebook page and a drinking club or two. And probably will continue to put up candidates for a few more elections. But as a political force with any real impact or influence on anything, it is finished and has been for some time now.
Given their politics, I really hope I’m right there… and that it applies to both the WPs. I’m confident that I am!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Joe, you say “given their politics” but is it only the Ukraine war that you mean with that or are there other policies and positions that you disagree with? Like from a quick skim of the PBP position on the war I don’t know that there’s any huge amount of blue water between them and the WP on it for example. Yet you seem well disposed towards PBP or am I recalling that incorrectly? I could be wrong about the relative policies though, as I’ve more or less switched off the whole topic for the past year and a bit.
https://www.pbp.ie/policies/policy-agm-2022-resolution-on-ukraine/
LikeLike
Yeah, Alan, it’s their views on the Ukraine war. When the starry plough group came out with their statement condemning NATO for the invasion of Ukraine that did it for me. I think the handshakers had a very slightly better take on it. And you’re right, PbP are horseshit on the Ukraine war too, nearly as horseshit as the two WPs.
As to other policies, I’m sure the WPs and PbP are all in favour of a universal public health service, public housing and the right to housing for all, a state-run and state-controlled universal education system and so on. And I’m sure I’d support and agree with their policies on those issues, broadly.
But given their Ukraine position, I won’t be voting for PbP next time. I’d say it’ll be SD and Labour that get my vote.
But, like, the WPs. They’re an irrelevance with no influence or standing among the Irish working class. None.
Colm B’s description of the handshakers in another thread describes them quite well.
And the starry plough group are led “ideologically” and kept afloat financially by an American millionaire hobbyist. Enough said.
LikeLike
One thing I have found puzzling is how amongst the very genuine and sincere and hard working people I know in both groups is a seeming lack of appreciation of the indifference of most and very strong hostility of some to the WP(s). Or where there is an appreciation it’s taken almost as a badge of honour. And oddly that latter hostility increasingly much less from SFers who I think regard it as the road not taken and are fascinated by the party. But you can’t reach out and engage in the face of that mixture of hostility/indifference to Irish voters. And that’s been proven again and again across decades. The indifference is what I think ultimately has blocked the WP(s). People just don’t care about the Soviet style or inflected leftism which literally seems antique and archaic and not fit for purpose where it’s not regards as malign or whatever. One can consider was it tgd collapse of the Soviets that did for them but for a while they seemed to buck the trend in M-L parties pre-89/91 in that regard. I suspect policy on the North really skewered the party too particularly around more local issues. It’s one thing to hate the Shinners, quite another to refuse to participate in anti-drugs activism in working class communities because the Shinners are also involved. That’s self isolating and to what purpose? Ok. That’s almost ancient history but now it’s almost a language thing. On the 80s the CPI (M-L) of who I knew a lot of members came over as almost presenting a performance of 1930s style M-L of a certain type which had no traction with people. I don’t think the WP(s) are quite at that stage but it’s trending that way. And while the bread and butter aspect is laudable and I know of great local reps and former and actual Cllrs it just doesn’t resonate. There’s bigger groups which are more adept at that sort of thing. Add in curious international policy positions and where does it leave them? Across a range of areas they seem almost on the wrong side of history. That is in the main arguably an unfair perception and it doesn’t reflect the work of those in the groups but how else to account for where matters stand now?
LikeLike
I hear what you’re saying WBS but I think that maybe the answer to the questions you’re asking lie in the perception that the WP is a small part of a far bigger tradition internationally, and that tradition still receives considerable levels of popular support in Portugal and Greece, which gives reassurance to some extent that all is not lost in the grand scheme of things despite the obvious local difficulties of indifference or hostility. In a sense it’s living vicariously through the relative good health and continued strength of others. I’d agree that there’s little evidence of support for that positioning locally here in Ireland, north or south. I don’t know what the way forwards is. The 2021 split certainly didn’t help.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The question then to me would be whether being part of a tradition that receives some measure of support in a small number of states but none at all here in functional terms does much to improve the situation of workers in Ireland? Or fundamentally is politics about the here and now and local and national or is it about something else? Perhaps an idea. But does the idea have any weight?
Or has it succeeded sufficiently to justify placing any great hope in it?
Other related questions arise- suppose the KKE or PCP took state power, something I think most would regard as implausible. What then? Would that herald a completely new dispensation? I’m sceptical just as I was sceptical about Syriza (albeit that was a v different party). I suppose this goes to the heart of what left politics is about and differing definitions.
I guess in fairness to both sides of the split in some ways it too was a response/reaction to continuing lack of support. There is a role in unions and so on clearly to take one example but does that satisfy all those involved because it’s quiet and long term and unrewarding.
LikeLike
Well, as a Eurocommunist I’m dubious enough about the prospect of either the KKE or the PCP “taking state power” anytime soon. I mean that phrase in itself just raises so many questions about what that would really mean in the modern era of late stage capitalism and after decades of neoliberal globalisation. For myself, I feel like I’m back asking the same questions of myself that I was 10+ years ago when I was in the process of moving towards the WP as the best fit of any organisation here locally that was in a position to possibly answer those types of questions. Unfortunately I don’t think the WP has progressed very much during that decade, despite the hopes that I had that the influx of new people and energies could lead to some sort of re-infusion of forward-looking ideological orientation through a process of synthesis with the existing party. Instead that new energy led to a split and the irony of the newcomers reorienting towards a sort of cosplay 70’s OSF republicanism.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I still have a lot of time for Eurocommunist approaches though I don’t feel KKE represents that strand really (there’s a discussion for another time). Parties are frustrating though, no, and I think it fair to say that most of us here haven’t been involved in ones that had a sniff of state power in Ireland. Which is a sobering thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I went online just now and found obituaries for three WP comrades who died in the last few months:
Noel McFarlane https://workersparty.ie/noel-mcfarlane-oration/
Tom French https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/03/13/news/one_time_workers_party_leader_tom_french_dies_aged_88-3129960/
Francie Donnelly https://workerspartyni.org/2023/05/26/francie-donnelly/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know which faction wrote that obituary for Francie Donnelly but although it is mostly free from venom (which I welcome) ,it also fails to mention that Francie also held a very senior position in another organisation that dare not speak it’s name. Also now that he has been buried,it is interesting to see that both he and Marian (former WP president”) seemed to have returned to Catholicism with Francie having the “full works” Catholic funeral and Marian inserting prayers in his death notice.I say that as an “a la carte” Catholic myself who fully supports the separation of church and state but I think that this illustrates the fact that most Irish people still want to exit this place in a spiritual manner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s an interesting point roddy re the approach to Catholicism. Tony Gregory had a full funeral Mass due I believe to his mother being a strong believer and wanting to in some sense pay justice to her memory.
LikeLike
I remember last election WP had a candidate in my area for the first time in years, but this time round nothing to be seen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel sorry for WP but that is personal. PBP retained a seat SF sweeped the board. I wonder what is the actual political education on the left inthe North ? Unionism is a mess.
LikeLike
If you mean the non SF left, PBP would be the strongest in terms of numbers and activism.
The SP seems to be confined to a couple of dozen members in Belfast with no support or members in the west of the city or areas like Ardoyne or New Lodge in North Belfast (probably due to their neo Unionism).
WP are practically defunct outside of a few veteran families and social clubs.
All of the above would be minuscule in terms of membership compared to SF.
My own cumann – which basically covers a village and its hinterland – would have more members than the entire Belfast SP for instance. Also in my area there would be dozens of “card carrying ” members who are not “activists” but who like to have a membership card and attend commemorations etc.They can be relied upon to get their relatives “out” at elections and encourage friends and relatives also.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Roddy,
My question from the other thread still stands. How did your local council do and how much of that of that is dedicated to your activism on the CLR?
LikeLike
SF took 19 of the 40 seats on Mid Ulster council.They increased the vote in my DEA by 6% and easily took 3 out of 5 seats.They hold 9 of the 16 South Derry seats and could have taken 10 had they fielded an extra candidate. Unfortunately during my time out canvassing,CLR was not mentioned at a single door!
LikeLiked by 3 people
SF probably need to look at that. They’ve one active member and probably quite a few active supporters on this site. To what end? What good is it to the party or the UI project?
I foresee some serious discussions in the Felons’ Club and quite possibly a directive from the AC to members and supporters on here to cease and desist and to direct their efforts at more worthwhile endeavours.
SF play the long game well so this probably won’t come into effect till around Christmas and then it’ll be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ6kJ7GWtv0
LikeLiked by 2 people
roddy,
Well congrats on a well executed election. You have every right to be proud. But I know that every doorstep was waiting with baited breath to hear what was being discussed here. And that your tireless defense against WP deviants helped in no small part to carry the day for SF, of that I’ve no doubt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Regarding the Workers Party, I think it is important to stress that candidates were affiliated to the Workers Party (Business Committee)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ironic in a way given they’re the only grouping from the WP who have any elected representation.
LikeLike
The purpose of WP (BC) election partication seems to me to have nothing to do with any prospect of electoral success or building party support. It’s simply an activity to keep the organisation functioning – social glue for its members and supporters.
It’s not really a political organisation in the usual sense but a micro-sub culture built around a few families in republican areas of west Belfast.
Its raison d’etre is simply its own continuation and its ability to make money for a few key figures and their cronies via the clubs and other “activities”.
Therefore it’s just not a political party in the sense that the other groups are, or even the WP (AC) is.
LikeLike
I totally avoided any mention of the WP or it’s discussion on CLR lest voters with a long memory brought up my teenage dalliance with the so called “Republican clubs”!
LikeLiked by 2 people