Aontú
Aontú (Irish [eːnt̪ˠuː],[6] "unite"[11]) is an all-Ireland political party. It was formally created in January 2019. It operates in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.[12][13]
| Leader | Peadar Tóibín |
|---|---|
| Deputy Leader | Anne McCloskey |
| Split from | Sinn Féin |
| Headquarters | 8 Market Square Navan County Meath |
| Ideology | Anti-abortion[1] Irish republicanism[2] Irish reunification[3] Social conservatism[4] Soft Euroscepticism[5] |
| Slogan |
|
| Dáil Éireann | 1 / 160 |
| Seanad Éireann | 0 / 60 |
| Northern Ireland Assembly | 0 / 90 |
| Local government in the Republic of Ireland | 3 / 949 |
| Local government in Northern Ireland | 2 / 462 |
| Website | |
| aontu | |
History
The party was founded by Peadar Tóibín, a TD. He resigned from Sinn Féin on 15 November 2018 due to his anti-abortion views.[14] The name Aontú was announced at a meeting in Belfast on 28 January 2019.[15] The party has been described as conservative on social issues[16] and socially conservative,[4] and left-wing on economics, migration, and climate change. [17]
The party's policies include proposals for a United Ireland, a referendum on a "right to collective bargaining and trade union membership",[18] an end to zero hours contracts,[18] and increased state spending on public housing,[19] Their Web site says that Ireland should model itself on the "best practice in Scandinavian countries."[18]
Election results
Local government elections
| Election | Country | Seats contested | First preference vote | Vote % | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Northern Ireland | 16 | 7,459 | 1.10% | 1 / 462
|
| 2019 | Republic of Ireland | 51 | 25,660 | 1.48% | 3 / 949
|
Westminster elections
| Election | Seats (in NI) | ± | Position | Seats contested | Total votes | % (of NI) | % (of UK) | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 / 18
|
New | 6th in NI | 7 | 9,814 | 1.2% | <0.1% | Peadar Tóibín |
Dáil Éireann
| Election | Seats won | ± | Position | Seats contested | First Pref votes | % | Government | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 / 160
|
New | 8th | 26 | 41,614 | 1.9 | TBD | Peadar Tóibín |
Aontú Media
The 'Irish Unity Centre', Aontú's head office in Navan
References
- ↑ Bray, Jennifer (28 January 2019). Peadar Tóibín to name new political party 'Aontú'. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/peadar-t%C3%B3ib%C3%ADn-to-name-new-political-party-aont%C3%BA-1.3773803. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ↑ "SDLP councillor quits to join Aontú". News Letter. 27 July 2019. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/health/sdlp-councillor-quits-to-join-aontu-1-9013617. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- ↑ Kelly, Ben (11 February 2019). "The Irish parties reaching across the border towards a new era for nationalism". The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/irish-border-nationalism-parties-sdlp-fianna-fail-sinn-fein-toibin-aontu-fine-gael-a8773426.html. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 O'Malley, Eoin (16 June 2019). "Eoin O'Malley: Sound the death knell for pro-life Renua". The Times. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/eoin-o-malley-sound-the-death-knell-for-pro-life-renua-nq5l7pgr0. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- ↑ Finn, Christina. "Tóibín signs up two members to his new 'Euro-critical party' which aims to protect 'all human life'". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
- ↑ "aontú [Pronunciation]". Teanglann. Foras na Gaeilge. 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ↑ Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977). "aontú". Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ↑ Ó Dónaill, Niall (1977). "aontaigh". Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ↑ "aontú [Reverse Search]". New English-Irish Dictionary.
- ↑ Becton, Gavan (29 January 2019). "Party started early for Tóibín". Meath Chronicle. https://www.meathchronicle.ie/news/roundup/articles/2019/01/29/4168452-party-started-early-for-tibn/. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- ↑ The Irish word aontú is the verbal noun of aontaigh, meaning "unite", "agree", "assent". The logo also colours the letters tú separately, forming the Irish word for "you" (singular).[7][8][9] Party founder Peadar Tóibín when announcing its name said it means "unity and consent".[10]
- ↑ Doyle, Kevin (28 January 2019). "Peadar Toibin reveals his new political party will be named Aontú". Independent.ie. https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/peadar-toibin-reveals-his-new-political-party-will-be-named-aont-37759442.html. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- ↑ "Electoral Commission - Political party registration - Current applications". Electoral Commission Electoral Commission. 28 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ↑ "Peadar Tóibín announces resignation from Sinn Féin". Irish Examiner. 15 November 2018. https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/peadar-toibin-announces-resignation-from-sinn-fein-885583.html. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
- ↑ Lehane, Mícheál (28 January 2019). "Tóibín reveals name of new political party". RTÉ News. https://www.rte.ie/news/2019/0128/1026108-toibin-political-party/. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- ↑ McBride, Sam (27 April 2019). "Sam McBride: Though slightly obscured from view, a hypothetical path to devolution exists". News Letter. https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/politics/sam-mcbride-though-slightly-obscured-from-view-a-hypothetical-path-to-devolution-exists-1-8906375. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- ↑ "Ireland's new pro-life party faces a critical test". Catholic Herald. 12 December 2019.
Aontú leans undeniably left on issues like economics, migration and climate change. [..] for a genuinely conservative option [..] Aontú is a welcome start
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "Aontu Policy on Workers Rights". aontu.ie. 24 January 2020. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
- ↑ "Aontu Policy on Housing". Aontu. 24 January 2020. Archived from the original on 9 February 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
If the state invested €2.2 billion in capital spending a year the 10,000 housing units per year objective of the Oireachtas Housing Committee could be surpassed.