Behind Sinn Fein's council victory | Socialist Action 1983

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IN A COUNCIL by-election held in West Belfast's Andersontown last week, Sinn Fein scored convincing Maskey elected on second count with over 8000 votes - 49 per cent.

The by-election was called after the resignation of Gerry Kelly, candidates elected at the time of the H-block campaign. Kelly, demoralised by the present demise of the Irish Republican Socialist Party, resigned his seat some time atter resigning trom the party.

In the North of Ireland, it is customary in this situation for the party concerned to nominate an alternative candidate who then gets co-opted onto the council.

When the IRSP failed to do this, the Social Democratic and Labour Party with typical contheir own members. Councillor Fergus O'Hare objected to this The full results were:

Alex Maskey (Sinn Fein)

McPartland (SDLP)

Mary McMahon (Workers Party)

McGuiness (Alliance)

Jimmy Brown (Anti-informer)

Peoples Democracy councillor John McAnulty described the result Although it was historic in the sense that it was the first time Sinn Fein had been elected onto Belfast city counci, muca bitterness nao been caused D. the attacks made by Sinn Fein on Jimmy Brown of Lie lor.

PD had called on voters to select the anti-imperialist candidate of their choice. portional representation used in local elections would ensure the split vote would not loose the Scal.

win, getting Alex one of the four anti-imperialisi manoeuvre. causing the election 8163 49% 33.4% 10% 3.J/0 2% 'pyrrhic victory' as the bro. had backtracked on abortion • was relevant to the position of women in the BRIEFING To affiliate to WAC write Anne Pettifor SW4.