The Northern election began with two main controversies: would there be a Sinn Fein First Minister and could the DUP scrap the Protocol.
There was an attempt to increase the fear factor and to rally unionists behind the DUP.
Northern elections have often been characterised as a sectarian headcount. You are supposed to vote for ‘your side’ – no matter how much of a mess they have made,
The harsh reality is that Sinn Fein and the DUP have been in government together for nearly twenty years. They have been joined by the other establishment parties, the UUP, SDLP and Alliance.
None of them has a consistent record of standing up for working people. Sinn Fein MLAs said they were ‘mistaken’ to vote for rent reductions, Alliance voted against giving trade unions greater freedoms. The DUP and UUP have consistently voted for privatisation.
Only the socialists in People Before Profit have spoken up for working-class interests.
On May 5th, we are urging a No 1 vote for People Begore Profit candidates who are standing in 12 constituencies.