I am a United Irelander. I have been so for all of my 60 years of political activism. For me, partition and British government involvement in Irish affairs have created division, conflict and two conservative political dispensations on both parts of the island.

In the South, this has meant that our politics have been dominated for more than 100 years by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, and then they insult the electorate by engaging in sham fights with each other. These parties have perpetuated a system which has prioritised the interests of elites over the needs of ordinary people. Not surprisingly, these parties intend to continue this domination. Their leaders realise that the creation of a new Ireland will lead to a realignment of Irish politics and their possible demise. Or at least the emergence of left versus right politics across the island.

There have been improvements, particularly in recent times, especially on social issues, but it is totally unacceptable that citizens in modern Ireland are denied their right to basic entitlements. Republicans have a clear political ethos based on principles of equality and fairness, independence and sovereignty, human rights and national self-determination. Sinn Féin’s appeal to the electorate is rooted in our republicanism.

I believe in citizenship. Citizenship entitles people to rights. In modern Ireland, these should include the right to food and water, to a home and a decent job with a fair wage, to health and education services and a cleaner, safer environment. Republicans........

© The Irish Times