AS THE DUST has settled on the Local and European elections in Ireland, another election campaign has been gaining traction north of the border; Rishi Sunak’s snap UK general election is likely to hasten the demise of the political power of unionism as the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) braces for considerable losses.

Few political anoraks could have predicted a 4 July vote. Sunak’s decision to call an election whilst the Conservative party polls more than 20 points behind the Labour Party has puzzled analysts, some of whom suggest the party faces a wipeout as polls predict a collapse of the Conservative vote with losses nearing 300 MPs.

Considering Labour is led by the rather uninspiring Keir Starmer, this is more a testament to the level of dissatisfaction and disillusionment within Conservative bases after 14 years of political chaos.

In Northern Ireland, the lack of preparedness for an early election is evidenced by the absence of political posters; despite 136 candidates competing for just 18 seats in Westminster, entire constituencies remain largely poster-free and election material is equally absent from post boxes.

This election will not be about Sinn Féin. The party may have been the big story during the Assembly and Local Elections, surpassing expectations by emerging as the largest party in both but is unlikely to make many gains in the General election.

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Sinn Féin currently holds seven out of 18 seats under an abstention policy and is expected to hold all seven, with outside chances of a gain in Foyle and East Derry.

Despite Social........

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