SINN FÉIN

ELECTORAL STRATEGY

Despite the efforts of its political opponents, especially the British government which has adopted many measures to curb its electoral success, Sinn Fein, over the last 13 years, has been a formidable electoral force. Since 1982 the party contested 21 elections across Ireland and has contested elections in all but two of the last 13 years. This is a unique record for any political party in Ireland.

In the Six Counties, Sinn Fein now registers a majority of the nationalist electorate. Sinn Fein has also advanced rapidly in the 26 Counties. Continued Sinn Fein campaigning reaffirms that there is a large nationalist population who continue to demand and work for justice, freedom and real democracy across Ireland.

A RADICAL VOICE

Sinn Fein is a 32-County legal registered political party with a wide range of policies, not just relating to the conflict in Ireland but reflecting all Irish political, economic and social issues. Partition has caused political, social and economic devastation throughout this island The separation of the two economies has contributed to the external dependency of both states, which has resulted in levels of industrial underdevelopment, unemployment, emigration and poverty in the 32 Counties. The creation of two states, both of which were dominated by the most conservative elements on this island also set back social progress for decades.

Sinn Fein's objective is the achieving of national self-determination and the creation of a secular, socialist republic with a democratic island economy based on the principles of the Proclamation of 1916, the Democratic Programme of 1919 and the beliefs of Tone, Pearse and Connolly.

Sinn Fein has radical policies on national self-determination, neutrality, the European Union, employment, workers' rights and unemployment, industrial relations, privatisation, emigration, agriculture, poverty, women, the environment, fisheries, culture, local government, health and social services, education, the Irish language and international issues.

The party also campaigns on justice issues arising directly out of the partition of Ireland, including discrimination in employment, censorship, prisoners' issues, shoot-to-kill, plastic bullets, collusion and other repressive legislation.

SINN FÉIN'S PEACE STRATEGY

Sinn Fein's involvement in the attempts to rebuild the shattered peace process has its origins in the mid 1980s. It was then that Sinn Fein sought to engage in dialogue with as wide a spectrum of opinion as possible for the purposes of achieving a just and lasting peace in Ireland. These engagements initially began with the SDLP through its leader John Hume. They went on to include the British government through secret negotiations with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness from 1991 - 1993, the Irish government and Irish America. It was through the engagements with the SDLP, the Dublin government and Irish America that the Irish Peace Initiative emerged.

On August 31, 1994 the Irish Republican Army took the courageous and unprecedented step of calling a "complete cessation of military operations". This provided a window of opportunity through which all could attempt to forge a new future based on justice and peace.

Sinn Fein remains totally committed to its peace strategy and to the need for the peace process to be rebuilt. It calls on the British government to stop pursuing policies which have abused the process in the past and which continue to set back the goal of securing a real Irish consensus.

PARTY STRUCTURES

Ard Fheis

Ard Chomhairle

The officers and nine other members are elected by the Ard Fheis delegates. The Ard Chomhairle has the power to co-opt five members for specific posts and the power for additional co-options to ensure that no less than one quarter of Ard Chomhairle positions are held by women.

Coiste Seasta

Comhairlí Limistéir

Comhairlí Ceantair

Cumainn

Departments