OPINION; Sinn Fein is the driving force that has brought thousands in

THE Sinn Fein peace strategy, and the peace process which grew from it, has opened up new opportunities for a new future for the people of this island.

It has been the driving force in bringing in hundreds of thousands of people in from the cold house created by unionism, discrimination, bigotry and British policy.

The peace process and Good Friday Agreement (GFA) are watershed moments in the history of Ireland. Sinn Fein has been the engine driving the search for peace.

The election, this Thursday, June 7, and the negotiations which will follow, represent a unique opportunity to move us forward and cement the progress we have already made.

The signing of the GFA represents a massive achievement and a unique compromise and it heralded a new sense of optimism and hope.

Since then, much of that hope has been deflated as the unionist leaderships have erected obstacles and sought to rewrite an agreement which is uncomfortable to them.

The refusal of the British Government to challenge the frequent imposition of the unionist veto has made a difficult situation worse.

We now know that the elections on Thursday will be followed several days later by the commencement of intense negotiations between the British and Irish governments and all of the political parties.

They will tackle the key issues that have become obstacles to progress - policing, demilitarisation and the issue of arms.

The British Government has to also close the loophole that has allowed David Trimble to unlawfully prevent Martin McGuinness and Bairbre de Brun from attending meetings of the all-Ireland bodies.

David Trimble's actions - including his threat to resign on July 1st - have done nothing to move us forward.

On the contrary, he has made resolving these matters more difficult and has undermined the efforts of Sinn Fein and has undermined the role of the International Independent Commission on Decommissioing.

David Trimble and the British Government have to build republican confidence in the ability of the GFA to deliver the changes which are required. They have to prove that politics can actually work.

If David Trimble really wants to see progress on weapons then he should be working in partnership with all the pro-Agreement parties and the two governments to make the Agreement work.

The clearest message we can all send out is that politics works.

Consequently, it is in this context, of resolving outstanding issues, of defending peoples' rights and entitlements, of implementing the GFA and promoting the peace process, that Sinn Fein is seeking a stronger mandate.

In the elections every single vote will count. Every vote will strengthen the hand of our negotiating team. Every voter can impact on these negotiations, on their outcome and on the future direction of the peace process.

Sinn Fein is on the doorstep giving people a real alternative. We are the only all-Ireland party in the elections. We have a political vision of a new dispensation that looks beyond partition towards a new independent Ireland based on justice, equality and prosperity. But we are also seeking to represent all sections of our society.

We do not distinguish between nationalist unemployed or unionist unemployed. Sinn Fein do not distinguish between those who need homes, education or a decent health service. Our vote is growing north and south because we are providing effective policies and political leadership on the issues that matter. It is crucial that Sinn Fein return to the negotiating table after these elections with a strong team and with an increased mandate - a mandate for change.

This week the people of the North have the chance to make history, to take another significant step forward in the Peace process.

Vote Sinn Fein - build on the progress made in recent years, and ensure a new future, a better future for you and your children.

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