Grasping the Nettle of Policing

Sean Gillespie
Strabane ÓSF

In the past, Sinn Fein has grasped the nettle many times in relation to important tactical decisions which have been emotionally difficult for activists, but ultimately proved to be the correct path. the latest “nettle” that our leadership propose we grasp could bring with it a deadly sting!

It is important that we tread carefully on this sensitive issue as we cannot underestimate the potential devastating effects that a hasty decision on policing could have on our struggle.

Pondering to political pressure and DUP bigots’ intransigence, to make a quick decision, would in my opinion be a massive political misjudgement. It could result in Sinn Fein signed up to the state police force with the ability only to affect cosmetic change to a failed british system. It is inevitable that we will not obtain the necessary powers to create radical change and pursue our objectives. After all it is unlikely that our political enemies would allow us enough powers to implement our political ideals, which are a threat to Britain’s economic and political grip of the six counties.

We Republicans must realise that there is an inevitable danger that we could become embedded into the institutions we tried for so long to smash. The DUP will almost certainly throw up another engineered crisis in the process, with politically motivated accusations aimed against Sinn Fein, as another excuse not to share power. Where would this leave Sinn Fein in terms of having signed up to the PSNI? Is this what we are going to risk loosing masses of support for? It is questions like these that I would urge comrades to ask themselves when voting in next weeks Special Ard Fheis.

Our communities deserve what we never had, and that is accountable, impartial policing, although having limited control over, or access to a failed oppressive system isn’t the way to solve the issue. We as Revolutionaries have a duty to come up with and embrace new alternative measures, rather than putting the noose of this British colonial system round our necks.

Apart from the obvious emotional reaction to Republicans contemplating giving support to the PSNI, I don’t think that it will realistically advance our ultimate goals. Giving our support to and endorsing the PSNI could be a massive step backwards for Republicans in terms of popular support, unity and cohesion, and in terms of our ability to affect radical change.

There is also the issue of MI5, and the fact remains that in Ireland MI5 will never be out of the picture until British occupation here ceases to exist. With an agenda and history that is rotten to the core, can we be sure that MI5 will stay out of intelligence gathering and other politically motivated activities, just because they’ve been told to stay out of “civic” policing?

Comrades unity among Republicans is of the utmost importance at this time. We are no doubt in testing times and we must remain focused on our job as revolutionaries. Whatever the outcome of Sunday’s Ard Fheis, lets stay united. Let us go into this united, let us remain united and if we fail we come out united and stronger!

Tiocfaidh Ar La!