In the first General Election since the peace process struggled into motion, the same old issues remain in contention that have dominated every six-monthly political crisis for the last three or four years.

    Decommissioning, demilitarisation, policing - the only new contender is the foot-and-mouth outbreak, and after just a month and a half, even that seems exhausted.

    Sinn Fein’s answer to today’s dull cares is to immerse themselves in the nostalgia of a golden age of republicanism 20 years ago when another election campaign was underway.

    Within a matter of weeks, Long Kesh hunger striker Bobby Sands had effected a turn-around in public sentiment that left a permanent mark on the political landscape, after his manifesto highlighting prisoner conditions and status saw him returned as MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.

    As Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams weighed in at the Ashberry Hotel, Enniskillen, last week to launch Michelle Gildernew’s Westminster campaign, it was quickly apparent that the spirit of Bobby Sands was somewhere in the vanguard.

    Each of the three speakers - Gerry Adams, Michelle Gildernew and Gerry McHugh MLA - paid tribute to the activists scattered throughout the audience who were veterans of that 20-year-old campaign.

    Mr. Adams thanked these activists for rising to the challenge despite having a candidate who was unable to canvass. Instead, campaigners carried a picture of the hunger striker.

    It was ironic that, although the Sands family now remain reticent about politcal matters, sister Bernadette Sands-McKevitt is now ranged in opposition to Sinn Fein’s policy on the peace process, in her role as a leading light of the 32-County Sovereignty Movement, linked to the Real IRA.

    Mr. Adams warned that the campaign to get Ms. Gildernew elected as the party’s first woman MP since Countess Markiewicz was just the latest phase of the struggle to set up a national republic on the island of Ireland.

    “It isn’t just about electing an MP - it is about being part of the struggle for the reconquest of this island,” he said.

    “The election battle is about being part of the process of change. All of us have learned a lot in the recent past. We have learned that negotiations are part of the struggle.”

    Following the election Sinn Fein would be back in negotiations, focusing on issues such as demilitarisation and policing, Mr. Adams said.

    “It is critical that Sinn Fein goes back to the negotiating table with an increased mandate. We need to get back with a strengthened hand.”

    Mr. Adams pointed out that the DUP’s Reverend William McCrea had once beaten Sinn Fein by only 78 votes and therefore no effort should be spared in gathering support.

    Canvassers should not pass any household that voted SDLP, he warned.

    “Don’t accept that because the parents vote SDLP, the children will. Don’t accept that because the husband votes SDLP, the wife will.

    ‘Talk to decent unionists about this process and what potential there is if we keep strengthening the political process.

    “At one point in the struggle it was enough not to be beaten. What we need now is victory of the sort that consolidates the peace process.

    “There is no-one else from the nationalist republican side in this constituency who can win this election other than Michelle Gildernew. It is Michelle or a unionist,” Mr. Adams warned. Introduced by Fermanagh District Council chairman Geraldine Cassidy as a longtime activist and member of Sinn Fein’s negotiating team, Ms. Gildernew was quick to establish her credentials as a young veteran of the Sands campaign.

    She described memories of travelling to Dublin for protests and the buses being attacked on the way back, and standing in Caledon school playground as a car with a PA system went past urging people to vote for Mr. Sands.

    “I also remember the huge crowds that went to those funerals. Even as a young child I was aware of the monumental importance of what was going on and how these young men, one after another, were willing to sacrifice their lives for their principles,” she said.

    Ms. Gildernew said support for Sinn Fein was growing as the majority of young people in Ireland were looking to the party to lead them away from corruption on both parts of the island - financial in the 26 counties, sectarianism and bigotry in the six.

    She warned that Fermanagh and South Tyrone were suffering from discrimination, with neglect from agencies such as the IDB and over-reliance on tourism and agriculture.

    “Our declining manufacturing base, the textiles industry is in increasing danger, community and voluntary sector jobs are in jeopardy and indigenous industries get little support, either financial or practical,” she said.

    “This constituency needs someone who will use the role of MP to lobby and further the prosperity of its citizens. However, that does not happen by sitting on the empty benches at Westminster.

    “I spent many days there in my capacity as the Sinn Fein London representative some years ago and believe me, that is not where you can make an impact for your constituency.”

    Much still had to be done regarding demilitarisation and equality legislation, Ms. Gildernew said.

    “The foot patrols, the checkpoints and the incessant helicopter activity are increasing. Fermanagh South Tyrone has been demilitarised.”

    As the only party pushing for northern representation in Leinster House, Sinn Fein’s all-Ireland ambitions were not hidden away in policy documents gathering dust, Ms. Gildernew said.

    “They are part of the everyday work we do in councils, in Leinster House and in the Assembly where we are the only party whose main priority is developing the all-Ireland institutions.

    “In areas such as health, education, environment and agriculture there are many gains to be made in having an all-Ireland perspective. These are all the small, practical beginnings of a common-sense future.

    “A united Ireland makes sense, and with Sinn Fein’s growing support throughout Ireland, those small practical beginnings will blossom into a fully fledged new Ireland.”

    Thanks to the efforts of the party’s workers, Sinn Fein outpolled the SDLP by three to one when Stephen Huggett became a district councillor, Ms. Gildernew said.

    “Our share of the vote has been steadily rising and I believe that we can win Bobby Sands’ seat back, 20 years after he and his comrades died on hunger strike for their vision of a united Ireland.