A former IRA hunger striker, once closely linked to Gerry Adams, is among a group of political activists who have claimed there is no socialist candidate to vote for in west Belfast.
Former IRA leader in the Maze prison Brendan Hughes – who was interned with Sinn F&eacuate;in president Mr Adams in the early 1970s – is among a group of six political activists who have signed a joint letter claiming there is no left-wing candidates in west Belfast.
The six are supporting the efforts of Derry socialist Eamonn McCann to seize a seat in the Foyle constituency.
In a letter to the Irish News they complain that none of the west Belfast candidates offer the same "radical socialist vision".
"As west Belfast-based political activists we find it disheartening that no left candidate is standing in our constituency," the letter reads.
"Those that claim to be progressive demonstrated the paucity of this claim through their decision to legitimise the Bush/Blair war summit earlier this year in Hillsborough.
"It is a source of regret that we do not have someone of the calibre of Eamonn McCann standing in this constituency. McCann has demonstrated principled leadership on the issues that have for long been at the centre of socialists' concerns.
"Unfortunately, the right to vote McCann is a privilege restricted only to those in the Foyle constituency."
The letter is signed by Brendan Hughes, Tommy Gorman, Liam O Ruairc, Sean Smyth, Brendan Shannon and Anthony McIntyre.
Responding to the call for a left-wing alternative for west Belfast, Eamonn McCann said last night.
"I welcome their support," he said "I think it reflects a deep sense of disillusionment from people who have been left behind by the peace process. I hope the people in Foyle feel the same way on Wednesday."
