Why should the race for the Aras be limited to Southern voters only?
Why am I as a radical Right-wing Presbyterian Unionist being discriminated against by not having a chance to have a say in an important election on the Emerald Isle?
In November 1985, when then British Prime Minister Maggie Thatcher and then Taoiseach, the late Garret FitzGerald, it gave the Republic a significant role in the running of the North.
I hope the Shinners' chief negotiator and former Derry Provo boss Marty McGuinness sneaks into the Presidency, but not because it would be another Northerner in the prestigious post following Mary McAleese.
If I was political advisor to a President Marty, I'd be telling him to flex his muscles and beef up the role of President from a simple state figurehead.
Marty is a key player in the republican movement, holding the most powerful post which the Shinners have on the island – that of Stormont deputy First Minister.
With Unionist voter apathy increasing and the SDLP about to embark on a vicious civil war, the Shinners could well pip Robbo's DUP to become the top dogs at Stormont in the next Assembly poll.
That outcome would leave Marty as First Minister. So why would he want to give all that up for what is a token post in the Aras?
Perhaps the 'Marty for President' campaign is merely a publicity stunt to drum up even more Shinner votes for the next Dáil poll given Fianna Fáil's slide into political oblivion.
With the FF meltdown continuing, Louth TD and Shinner President Gerry Adams could return to the next Dáil with up to two dozen seats – enough to guarantee him a coalition government role and perhaps a deputy prime ministership.
President Marty will not be content cutting ribbons, unveiling statutes and jet setting around the globe to visit the numerous Irish communities.
Marty will want to be a president with real political clout, not a fancy title. I would then advise him to use the Aras to extend the list of those eligible to vote in all Southern elections to anyone on the island who holds a recognised European Union passport.
In the North, people holding Irish passports can vote in Assembly polls. But how many British passport holders living in the Republic actually take the time to vote in Dáil polls?
If President Marty follows my advice and gets Southern voting rights for the North, then my dream of Ireland back in the Commonwealth will be a step closer.
President Marty may see this differently. He will want the tens of thousands of Northern Shinner voters to have a major say on who runs Leinster House.
But if one million Northern Protestant voters got the chance to influence the outcome of Dáil elections, it would give Unionism its greatest say in Southern politics since the Battle of the Boyne.
What kick up the arse do Unionists need to re-engage with the ballot box? Surely there must be an aspiration that will get Unionists and loyalists electorally hot under the collar?
If Sinn Féin can have an aspiration of a united Ireland by the centenary of the Easter Rising, why can't Unionists have an aspiration to commemorate the Somme battle – also in 2016 – by having a huge say in Southern politics?
In my native North Antrim, some 35,000 Unionist voters didn't bother to go to the polling booths in the last Stormont poll. In numerous working class loyalist housing estates, only 30% of Prods come out to vote.
Unionists need a President Marty because at least he will give the job added political influence. He is certainly the one candidate who knows his Aras from his elbow!
Mind you, given how Unionists like to argue among themselves, they may well view President Marty telling them they can vote in Southern polls with the jibe – stick it up your Aras !
If Unionists did that, they would miss yet another opportunity to muscle in on Southern politics. Marty winning the Aras race will have long-term benefits for Unionism. So much for all this crap about the 'win-win' McGuinness strategy.
