By Michele Canning Smith
STRABANE man, Paul Gallagher, has thrown his hat into the ring for the assembly elections on an anti-policing ticket - but if elected will not take up a seat in Stormont.
The community activist will stand as an Independent Republican in West Tyrone, if the March elections go ahead.
His nomination was endorsed at an IRSP Ard Comhairle at the weekend.
The local man, who has twice unsuccessfully gone forward on an independent ticket in local goverment elections, has said he will follow an abstentionist policy in the event of being returned.
Mr Gallagher, who comes from a strong Republican background, and has been involved in the Movement for the past 20 years, said his move has been prompted by the policing furore, saying it is 'a bridge too far'.
"Alternative voices are now required and I am one of those voices. There always was a republican base unhappy with the political situation and that base is now growing, throughout Ireland.
"I have listened to some of the policies of Sinn Fein and I haven't seen anything that satisfies me that they are not going to implement British law.
"As to the the party's strategy, I don't see where that strategy is going in terms of making laws for the Irish people, it's simply a case of joining the system."
"I really believe that we have now gone full circle in history. Local people travel to Drumboe to commemorate the martyrs shot by republicans who were the policing of the day.
" I can see in the not too distant future where Sinn Fein will participate in punitive style measures against working class Republicans."
When asked if he would take his seat if elected he says no.
"I am not going to go into Stormont where British rule is being implemented.
""We need to give an alternative voice to republicans. There are many venues, not just Stormont, where a voice can be given to Republicans.
"Republicans do not want to bow to British Imperialism for the sake of a bit of power within the Six Counties.
He said he believes there is a groundswell of opinion for the anti policing candidates.
"I think discontent republicans will send a message to the leadership that it has distanced itself from grassroots Republicans.
'Everyone has the right to say to Sinn Féin, "I am a Republican and you do not speak for me. The Republican family goes beyond the Sinn Fein project."
Mr Gallagher said he is not standing because he is against peace.
"I just feel there is an alternative and I don't want to see a repeat of history and I don't want any more people killed in future generations because the matter of partition has not been resolved, and it never will be in an unreformable Six Counties."
