Nov 13
Disenfranchisement in Ulster
‘Vote early and often,’ was the infamous mock from certain electors in Northern Ireland in the past – Sinn Fein/IRA is particularly notorious for obtaining votes of dead people and those who never vote.
But disenfranchising 36,000 people because they don’t have photographic ID is undemocratic. It’s not that rigorous in England, Scotland and Wales, surely? Taking the vote off many of the most vulnerable groups (e.g. many pensioners and people from disadvantaged areas may not have passports or driving licenses) is a disgrace. What’s clearer is that it won’t stop the intimidation by Sinn Fein/IRA who, when they are canvassing people who don’t plan to vote (e.g. in parts of Londonderry’s Bogside), say: “Get out and f*in’ vote or ye’ll be f*in’ got!”
The problem again is the cancer of paramilitarism – deal with them, and do not undermine democracy. These Sinn Fein/IRA MLAs the very people who’ll be lining up to get their three ministries after November 26.
1 Comment so far
Speaking of voter intimidation, do you know much about Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew’s election campaign? I have read claims that there was huge intimidation of SDLP voters by Sinn Fein that almost certainly cost the SDLP the election and I’d be interested if you heard anything about that.