Sinn Féin close gap on DUP in Northern Ireland election

Most people over-stereotype the idea of terrorism to Middle Eastern and Muslim countries. Yet many forget the horrors and terror alerts since the separation of Ireland and the Anglo-Irish war. The 1970s-1990s were the height of the Irish troubles with the rise of the IRA.

Who are Sinn Fein and what do they want?

Sinn Fein traditionally is the political catholic unionists: Not to be confused with protestant unionists who want a united Ireland under Brtish and crown control.

Sinn Fein wants a United Ireland under its own sovereign rule. Though originally a peaceful party under Michael Collins, they rose to become a strongly activist party with the IRA ( Irish republican army) as their own personal army. This history is often brushed over and most now see Sinn Fein and the IRA as an extremist political party.

Why have they risen?

Sinn Fein has made a large comeback in the recent election most likely due to Brexit. The majority of northern ireland want to stay in the European Union, especially those who want to be united with the republic of Ireland. The republic of Ireland is still a strong member of the EU and shares its economy including currency.

Many of the northern Irish population believe that if they leave the EU alongside with the UK it would make North Ireland to republican Ireland tensions worsen meaning it would be harder to make trade agreements etc. There is also the controversy over the Good Friday Agreement. By enacting article 52 the good Friday agreement could be undone meaning all the 1990s diplomatic relations work between the Uk and Ireland would be for nothing. The fact that the UK conservative government wish to disestablish the human rights act to replace it with a British bill of rights could also under right the good Friday government if not done properly.

Is the rise worrying

Overall the rise of Sinn Fein simply highlights the still want in Ireland for Ireland to be one united country.

Religious divides in Ireland still stand but have declined in recent years due to a postmodern decline in religion. Sinn Fein no longer stands for the catholic unionists who want parliamentary sovereignty. Now Sinn Fein represents a worrying protest vote similar to UKIP and other right wing parties. It is unlikely that with the rise of Sin Fein we would see a reemergence of the IRA.