Thankfully, I don't have to throw all my eggs into one basket. Such is the beauty of the PR system.
I very much agree with McCann's progressive outlook on social issues - equal marriage for those of the same sex, full reproductive rights for women, et cetera - and also have great time for his critiques/analyses of and insights into the structures of economy, capital and societal power. He also did stellar work for the Bloody Sunday families, is a strong advocate for holding power to account and seeks disclosure of the truth of what happened during the conflict in the north; I feel similarly and very strongly on that, for what it's worth, both for familial reasons and more general reasons relating to a belief that transparency can be cathartic for all concerned and will ultimately generate the trust and reconciliation we broadly desire as a society. Naturally, that would ultimately be good for social stability, cross-communal harmony and international relations.
However, I also wish to see an exception being made for the north in respect of Brexit, so that it can remain within the EU, along with the rest of Ireland and in line with the will of the region's people. The notion of a return to a more physical border, be it military, customs-based or whatever with impediments to the movement of people, labour and goods, in my natural and familial hinterland of Derry and Donegal is repugnant to me, my family, my friends and my community. It's not just ideologically and emotionally incendiary, it will also present a major material nuisance. It's a very immediate and pressing concern, but McCann won't offer me anything on that front - he supported Brexit, after all, or the idea of a "Lexit" even (which I feel was ultimately misguided, albeit emanating from a good place) - nor will he vigorously pursue Irish cultural matters such as the promised Irish language act, which are also important to me.
So, I'll give McCann my first-preference as he'll hopefully offer an important, alternative voice in Stormont if re-elected, but if he's not re-elected, it's not as if Stormont will become an irrelevance for me or as if I'll have no stake or interest in what's going on there, so I'll allot my secondary and tertiary votes or preferences accordingly and carefully based upon weighing up my mix or spectrum of views/beliefs and evaluating which potential representatives align or correlate best with those or based upon who I feel will provide them the best and broadest representation.
Is that irrational? It's simply me hoping, or trying to ensure even, that my feelings on matters will be broadly represented surely. The way any electoral system operates forces voters to try and simplify to some degree, but PR specifically enables me to sort of compartmentalise or balance all my interests better than other electoral systems, if that makes sense, just like it does for any other voter.
I will admit - with a wry grin - that potential constitutional upheaval is a big part of the reason why I'm so looking forward to the election. Let's see how it goes and where it leaves us. Maybe we're finally on the direct path to Irish unity...
I'll also enjoy that feeling of sweet schadenfreude if the DUP do indeed - as I hope they do - suffer detrimental consequences on account of their galling corruption, long-standing bigotry, continuous disrespect and reneging on various agreements.
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