By K. V. Turley
Life Site News
A new Irish pro-life political party is already creating ripples among the Irish political class both north and south of the border. It is also asking questions about just how pro-life some of Ireland’s existing political parties really are.
Last year pro-life politician Peadar Toibin resigned from Sinn Fein over its pro-abortion stance. Thereafter, it was expected that he would retreat to the parliamentary back benches. Instead, he began setting up a new political party – one as pro-life as it will be Republican.
Starting a political party is one thing, but actually finding supporters is another matter. The Belfast Newsletter, however, is reporting that no fewer than seven local councillors in Northern Ireland are defecting to Toibin’s new party. This comes just as the campaign gets underway in Northern Ireland for the local government elections scheduled to take place in May 2019.
Toibin told the Newsletter: “We hope to be standing about 10-15 candidates in the [Northern Ireland] local government elections in May.” He hopes that at least seven elected councillors will choose to stand for his new party. From what he hinted, these candidates come from the two main nationalist parties: Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and Sinn Fein.
Shortly after announcing the formation of his new political party, surprisingly, Toibin headed to Northern Ireland. While there, he addressed a public meeting of supporters in Maghera, Derry. Later this month and next, more meetings will take place in the North: Omagh (January 9), Newry (January 23), Belfast (January 28), and Armagh (February 4).
Although the party has no name yet, according to Toibin, since its membership opened last Saturday, the party has grown rapidly to 1,400 members. This was after 40 people attended the party’s first executive meeting on Saturday.
Last year pro-life politician Peadar Toibin resigned from Sinn Fein over its pro-abortion stance. Thereafter, it was expected that he would retreat to the parliamentary back benches. Instead, he began setting up a new political party – one as pro-life as it will be Republican.
Starting a political party is one thing, but actually finding supporters is another matter. The Belfast Newsletter, however, is reporting that no fewer than seven local councillors in Northern Ireland are defecting to Toibin’s new party. This comes just as the campaign gets underway in Northern Ireland for the local government elections scheduled to take place in May 2019.
Toibin told the Newsletter: “We hope to be standing about 10-15 candidates in the [Northern Ireland] local government elections in May.” He hopes that at least seven elected councillors will choose to stand for his new party. From what he hinted, these candidates come from the two main nationalist parties: Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and Sinn Fein.
Shortly after announcing the formation of his new political party, surprisingly, Toibin headed to Northern Ireland. While there, he addressed a public meeting of supporters in Maghera, Derry. Later this month and next, more meetings will take place in the North: Omagh (January 9), Newry (January 23), Belfast (January 28), and Armagh (February 4).
Although the party has no name yet, according to Toibin, since its membership opened last Saturday, the party has grown rapidly to 1,400 members. This was after 40 people attended the party’s first executive meeting on Saturday.
At the meeting, the party’s constitution and structure were agreed upon. Toibin’s party will be of the Left with an emphasis on economic justice, but he has also made clear that its constitution will be “100 percent pro-life.”
SDLP’s actions on abortion raise questions
The new pro-life party has attracted interest from some high-level former Sinn Fein members. Martin McGuinness’ brother, Declan McGuinness, has officially signed up and is said to be interested in standing for election. Ex-Sinn Fein councillors Francie and Ann Brolly, both of whom also left the party over its pro-abortion stance, are said to be considering putting themselves forward as candidates for the new party.
More interesting still is the news that SDLP politicians are now defecting to the new party. County Tyrone councillor Rosemarie Shields has confirmed she is leaving the SDLP for Toibin’s pro-life party. She told the Newsletter that there were others within the SDLP and from “another party” who are also considering leaving and joining Toibin.
More interesting still is the news that SDLP politicians are now defecting to the new party. County Tyrone councillor Rosemarie Shields has confirmed she is leaving the SDLP for Toibin’s pro-life party. She told the Newsletter that there were others within the SDLP and from “another party” who are also considering leaving and joining Toibin.
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