Republican Sinn Féin

Idiotaigh na hÉireann, aka Sinn Féin Poblachtach has announced that it will be fielding candidates in "at least" 11 constituencies in the forthcoming assembly elections. This should be interesting to watch- the biggest things they have organised since the 'spontaneous' walk-out of the 1986 provo Ard Fheis have been attacks on SDLP members and meetings for 'revolutionary' geriatics which have generally attracted a princely attendance of around three people.

Given that the British Government has pretty strict rules regarding the registration of parties and the nomination of candidates, I would be very surprised to see the name of a candidate alongside the RSF logo on ballot papers in 11 constituencies. More likely we'll get a bizarre mix of disaffected provos, right-wing fascists and pseudo-marxists all running under various 'republican' banners but presenting no concrete policies of their own.

Still, no harm in participating in democracy- at least it gives people a chance to vote for the candidates of their choice. Of course, if RSF fail miserably, don't expect them to respect the wishes of the electorate- they'll just continue doing whatever they did beforehand, much like their former buddies in the provos did in the 1970s and 80s when nationalists in the north repeatedly rejected their campaign of violence at the polls but they continued down that pointless path none the less.

Meanwhile, the DUP is forcing its candidates to sign an agreement that if they break with official party policy, they will face a £20,000 fine or even have a postdated resignation notice handed in to the speaker of the assembly on their behalf. Consider this move a direct response to the actions of the Dirty Dozen, and a personal attempt by Peter Robinson to copperfasten his control of the party in the face of a possible Nigel Dodds-led fundamentalist countermovement.