Clodagh Kilcoyne and Amanda Ferguson

BELFAST (Reuters – Irish nationalists celebrated Sinn Fein’s victory in Sunday’s election, while their British neighbours sulked. But there were no signs that the city’s current political crisis was imminent.

The victory was unimaginable a few years ago. On Saturday, the ex-political wing of Ireland’s Republican Army (IRA), became the first Irish nationalist party in the elections for the British-run regional parliament.

This victory gives Sinn Fein permission to name Michelle O’Neill, its leader, as the first Catholic First Minister in the area. It also grants the party more power to achieve the ultimate goal of unifying Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

However, few people who were enjoying the sun on Sundays along the pro-British Newtownards Road in the city seemed concerned.

John Keenan who owns the Union Jack Souvenir Shop said, “Obviously we don’t want a united Ireland. Sinn Fein is going for a poll. I’d like to say let it go, there’s nothing to be afraid.”

He is confident because of opinion polls which have repeatedly shown that the majority of Northern Ireland voters favor remaining in the United Kingdom.

Keenan stated that the rise of Sinn Fein has “worried” the pro-British loyalist group, which was named after their loyalty to Britain.

However, it is also aware that Sinn Fein must be ruled by the Democratic Unionist Party under the 1998 region-crafted peace accord.

This opens up the possibility of London being directly ruled if there is no agreement, something Keenan claimed would bring happiness to him and his family.

Gary Mason, a Methodist Protestant Church minister, said while he was walking with a friend near, that although many loyalists and moderate pro-British unionists were likely shocked by Sinn Fein’s victory, others weren’t surprised. They saw it as the result of infighting between pro-British politicians.

Sinn Fein calling for a referendum on unification “is not new,” he stated.

‘DIE HAPPY’

Tommy Shaw, a Belfast-born man aged 80, said that he was happy for Sinn Fein’s victory. He was seen walking around the city wearing a Gaelic football shirt sporting the Irish Republic’s green, white, and orange tricolour. If Irish unification were achieved, he said that he would be “dead happy”.

However, he also doubted that the win of Sinn Fein would bring about a closer referendum to unification. As he enjoyed an ice-cold beer at a club named after the nationalist leader that fought for Irish independence, he stated “Not specifically.”

Sinn Fein candidates and activists held a party Saturday night, but there was no major celebration in Falls Road, the stronghold for nationalists where Shaw’s Gaelic football club plays.

This was due to the fact many people see this victory as a stepstone and the fact that the referendum necessary for leaving the UK will be at the British government’s discretion and could take years.

However, last week’s votes could have a significant impact on the outcome. The cross-community Alliance Party won twice as many seats than it did. This is because they attracted both pro-British Unionists and Irish nationalists that are disillusioned with traditional parties.

Shaw stated, “I believe that’s brilliant. They are showing there is a middle way there.”