Irish political party
Aontu
(
Irish:
[?eːn??t??uː]
;
[2]
"Unity")
[n 1]
is an
all-Ireland
political party that was formally launched in January 2019, and operates in both the
Republic of Ireland
and
Northern Ireland
.
[8]
[9]
Ideologically, Aontu is
opposed to abortion
and combines elements of social conservatism with advocacy for a united Ireland and centre-left economics. It has been led by
Peadar Toibin
since its foundation.
History
[
edit
]
The party was founded by Peadar Toibin, a
TD
who resigned from
Sinn Fein
on 15 November 2018 due to his anti-abortion views after opposing the
party whip
on the
Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018
.
[10]
[11]
Toibin began canvassing elected representatives, securing support within a week from two
local councillors in the Republic
.
[12]
Toibin held meetings across the island addressing interested potential members. The first
Northern Ireland local councillor
declared on 7 January 2019.
[13]
As of 28 January 2019
[update]
eight councillors had joined.
[14]
A second councillor in Northern Ireland joined on 26 February 2019.
[15]
The name
Aontu
was announced at a meeting in
Belfast
on 28 January 2019.
[16]
The
Meath Chronicle
said that the announcement of the name was precipitated by its unexpected publication on the
UK Electoral Commission
website.
[7]
Toibin said the party had sought registration in both jurisdictions, that "Aontu obviously means unity and our major objective is
the unity of Irish people north and south
".
[17]
He recalled that Belfast was the birthplace of the
United Irishmen of 1798
.
[18]
Aontu would "seek to build an all-Ireland economy to mitigate the worst effects of
Brexit
, economic justice for all and to protect the
right to life
."
[8]
[6]
Toibin said he was talking with Sinn Fein,
SDLP
and
independent
representatives in Northern Ireland,
[19]
and that "people from Sinn Fein, SDLP and
Fianna Fail
backgrounds would feel comfortable" in the party.
[17]
Aontu's then deputy leader Anne McCloskey came under criticism for her comments about the effectiveness of masks during the
COVID-19
pandemic, with party leader Peadar Toibin defending her right to her view on the topic.
[20]
McCloskey stepped down as a councillor in October 2020, and was replaced by party member Emmet Doyle.
[21]
[22]
She was replaced as deputy leader by Denise Mullen. At the 2022 Ard Fheis, Mullen stepped down from the position of deputy leader and was replaced by Gemma Brolly, Aontu candidate for
East Derry
at the
May 2022 Assembly election
.
In November 2020, the
Standards in Public Office Commission
announced that Aontu were one of five political parties who failed to provide them with a set of audited accounts for 2019, in breach of statutory obligations.
[23]
In response, Aontu released a statement claiming that they had submitted the account statements and apologising for the delay, citing the
COVID-19 pandemic
.
[24]
Ideology and platform
[
edit
]
Party founder and leader Peadar Toibin has described Aontu as left of centre economically while "
socially conservative
".
[25]
[26]
The party was described by the unionist
Belfast News Letter
as "
Catholic
conservative"
[27]
and by
The Times
as "socially conservative",
[28]
while
Harry McGee
described the party's ideology as "rural conservatism and
traditionalism
".
[29]
It is
anti-abortion
.
[6]
[30]
[31]
The Phoenix
has described Toibin and Aontu as possessing a "strong rightward stance" on immigration
[32]
while Gerald Howlin of the
Irish Examiner
has described Toibin's views on immigration as "
nativist
".
[33]
Toibin advocates for "sustainable levels" and "managed" immigration into Ireland and has called for "a nuanced debate that lies neither in walls nor in open borders."
[34]
[35]
In 2021 deputy leader Denise Mullen called for greater action during the
Afghan refugee crisis
and for Ireland to be "a leader in accepting Afghan refugees".
[36]
The party is also
Eurosceptic
.
[11]
[37]
The party holds left-leaning views on economics and climate change.
[30]
As of early 2020, the party's published policies included proposals for a
United Ireland
; a referendum on a "right to
collective bargaining
and trade union membership";
[38]
an end to
zero hours contracts
;
[38]
and increased state spending on public housing.
[39]
Their site states Ireland should model itself on the "
best practice in Scandinavian countries
."
[38]
In their 2021 budget submission, they called on changes to the state pension scheme, reducing Leap Card fares and increasing the Banking Levy.
[40]
While Aontu was founded in a split from
Sinn Fein
, Aontu members and elected representatives come from different political backgrounds: two councillors were former members of the
Social Democratic and Labour Party
, one councillor was a former member of
Fianna Fail
, and two other councillors never held political office prior to joining Aontu.
[41]
[42]
[43]
[44]
The party retains the ideology of
Irish republicanism
[45]
and related policies; for example, Aontu maintains a policy of
abstentionism
, which means that while it runs candidates in Northern Ireland in British general elections, should an Aontu candidate be elected they would not take up their seat in the British parliament.
[46]
The Irish Catholic
editor Michael Kelly believed the party could "capitalise" on the "abandon[ment] [of] many of the values that were key to a largely Catholic electorate in the North" by "the traditional parties of
nationalism
".
[47]
Elections
[
edit
]
2019 local elections
[
edit
]
At the
2019 Northern Ireland local elections
on 2 May, Aontu nominated 16 candidates across 7 of the 11
local councils
.
[48]
It won one seat, Anne McCloskey in
Ballyarnett DEA
on
Derry and Strabane Council
, with its two outgoing councillors losing their seats.
[49]
Several months after the election, a councillor for the SDLP in Mid Ulster joined Aontu.
[50]
The party nominated 53 candidates for the
Republic's local elections
on 24 May, including its seven sitting councillors. Three were elected.
[51]
It did not run any candidates in the elections for the European Parliament held
in Northern Ireland
[52]
or
in the Republic
.
[53]
2019 Dail by-elections
[
edit
]
Aontu contested two of the four 2019 Dail by-elections. Finian Toomey came 7th in
Cork North-Central
with 1,008 votes (3.9%), being eliminated on the fifth count. Jim Codd came 6th in
Wexford
with 2,102 votes (5.2%), being eliminated on the second count.
2019 United Kingdom general election
[
edit
]
Aontu contested seven of the 18 Northern Ireland seats in the
2019 United Kingdom general election
. The party received 9,814 votes (1.2%).
2020 Irish general election and Seanad election
[
edit
]
Aontu fielded 25 candidates in the
2020 Irish general election
, including leader Peadar Toibin (Meath West), deputy leader Anne McCloskey (Sligo-Leitrim) and a number of sitting local councillors.
[54]
Toibin was the only successful candidate. As Toibin was not invited to participate in a televised debate alongside the leaders of other parties, the party threatened a
High Court
action against
RTE
. The party, however, did not proceed with the action noting that there "was not enough time to have the action heard" before the debate.
[55]
In the
2020 Seanad election
, Paul Lawless contested the
Cultural and Educational Panel
receiving 2.6% of votes.
[56]
2021 Dublin Bay South Dail by-election
[
edit
]
Mairead Toibin unsuccessfully contested the
2021 Dublin Bay South by-election
, coming 9th with 740 first preference votes (2.9%) on the first count, being eliminated on the fifth count.
2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election
[
edit
]
Aontu fielded 12 candidates in the
2022 Northern Ireland Assembly election
.
[57]
None of Aontu's candidates were elected, with the party coming in eighth place with 12,777 first preference votes (1.5%).
[58]
2023 Northern Ireland local elections
[
edit
]
Aontu fielded 19 candidates for the
2023 Northern Ireland local elections
. None of Aontu's candidates were elected, with their incumbent Councillor in
Derry City and Strabane District Council
losing his seat.
[59]
The party came in 11th place with 6,771 first preference votes (0.9%).
2024 referendums
[
edit
]
Aontu campaigned for No votes in the
March 2024 Irish constitutional referendums
. Both referendums were overwhelmingly defeated, with 67.69% of voting against the 39th amendment (on family), and 73.93% voting against the 40th referendum (on care).
[60]
[61]
Representatives
[
edit
]
The party has one representative, TD
Peadar Toibin
, at national level (in
Dail Eireann
). As of May 2023, Aontu has three sitting representatives at local level, all of which are
county councillors in the Republic of Ireland
.
[62]
[63]
Leadership
[
edit
]
Party leader
[
edit
]
The following are the terms of office as party leader.
Election results
[
edit
]
Dail Eireann
[
edit
]
Northern Ireland Assembly
[
edit
]
Westminster elections
[
edit
]
Local elections
[
edit
]
Election
|
Country
|
Seats
contested
|
1st pref
votes
|
%
|
Seats
|
2019
|
Northern Ireland
|
16
|
7,459
|
1.1
|
|
2019
|
Republic of Ireland
|
51
|
25,660
|
1.5
|
|
2023
|
Northern Ireland
|
19
|
6,771
|
0.9
|
|
2024
|
Republic of Ireland
|
66
|
39,461
|
2.1
|
|
European Parliament
[
edit
]
Election
|
1st pref
votes
|
%
|
Seats
|
±
|
2024
|
65,559
|
3.76 (8th)
|
|
|
Ogra Aontu
[
edit
]
Aontu's youth branch, Ogra Aontu, was formed in May 2020. Membership of the branch is open to Aontu members aged between 16 and 30.
[66]
- ^
The
Irish
word
aontu
is the
verbal noun
of
aontaigh
, meaning "unite", "agree", "assent". The logo also colours the letters
tu
separately, forming the Irish word for "
you
" (singular).
[3]
[4]
[5]
Party founder
Peadar Toibin
when announcing its name said it means "unity and consent".
[6]
[7]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
Hugh Linehan (18 January 2023).
"Peadar Toibin on Aontu, Sinn Fein, immigration and ambition"
.
Inside Politics
(Podcast).
The Irish Times
. Retrieved
20 January
2023
.
- ^
"aontu [Pronunciation]"
.
Teanglann
. Foras na Gaeilge. 2013.
Archived
from the original on 24 June 2016
. Retrieved
6 February
2019
.
- ^
O Donaill, Niall (1977).
"aontu"
.
Focloir Gaeilge?Bearla
.
Archived
from the original on 12 March 2018
. Retrieved
6 February
2019
.
- ^
O Donaill, Niall (1977).
"aontaigh"
.
Focloir Gaeilge?Bearla
.
Archived
from the original on 7 February 2019
. Retrieved
6 February
2019
.
- ^
"aontu [Reverse Search]"
.
New English-Irish Dictionary
.
Archived
from the original on 21 February 2020
. Retrieved
6 February
2019
.
- ^
a
b
c
Bray, Jennifer (28 January 2019).
"Peadar Toibin to name new political party 'Aontu'
"
.
The Irish Times
.
Archived
from the original on 29 January 2019
. Retrieved
28 January
2019
.
- ^
a
b
Becton, Gavan (29 January 2019).
"Party started early for Toibin"
.
Meath Chronicle
.
Archived
from the original on 7 February 2019
. Retrieved
6 February
2019
.
- ^
a
b
Doyle, Kevin (28 January 2019).
"Peadar Toibin reveals his new political party will be named Aontu"
.
Independent.ie
.
Archived
from the original on 29 January 2019
. Retrieved
29 January
2019
.
- ^
"Electoral Commission - Political party registration - Current applications"
. Electoral Commission Electoral Commission. 28 January 2019.
Archived
from the original on 17 April 2019
. Retrieved
31 January
2019
.
- ^
"Peadar Toibin announces resignation from Sinn Fein"
.
Irish Examiner
. 15 November 2018.
Archived
from the original on 21 February 2020
. Retrieved
15 November
2018
.
- ^
a
b
Michael Gallagher (2021).
"The Results Analysed: The Definitive End of the Traditional Party System?"
. In Michael Gallagher; Michael Marsh; Theresa Reidy (eds.).
How Ireland Voted 2020: The End of an Era
. Springer Nature. p. 180.
ISBN
9783030664053
.
- ^
Finn, Christina (21 November 2018).
"Toibin signs up two members to his new 'Euro-critical party' which aims to protect 'all human life'
"
.
TheJournal.ie
.
Archived
from the original on 27 March 2019
. Retrieved
5 February
2019
.
- ^
Young, Connla (7 January 2019).
"Co Tyrone councillor Rosemarie Shields defects from SDLP to Peadar Toibin's new party"
.
The Irish News
.
Archived
from the original on 1 February 2019
. Retrieved
5 February
2019
.
- ^
Murphy, Hannah (28 January 2019).
"Una D'Arcy Joins Peadar Toibin's New Political Party"
.
Midlands 103
.
Archived
from the original on 31 January 2019
. Retrieved
5 February
2019
.
- ^
"Sinn Fein has lost contact with the grassroots says Lennon as he joins new republican party"
.
Lurgan Mail
. 26 February 2019.
Archived
from the original on 26 February 2019
. Retrieved
26 February
2019
.
- ^
Lehane, Micheal (28 January 2019).
"Toibin reveals name of new political party"
.
RTE News
.
Archived
from the original on 29 January 2019
. Retrieved
28 January
2019
.
- ^
a
b
Young, Connla (29 January 2019).
"New party formed by ex-Sinn Fein TD Peadar Toibin to be called 'Aontu'
"
.
The Irish News
.
Archived
from the original on 7 February 2019
. Retrieved
5 February
2019
.
- ^
"Peadar Toibin names new political party Aontu"
.
Irish Examiner
. 29 January 2019.
Archived
from the original on 7 February 2019
. Retrieved
6 February
2019
.
- ^
"More defections expected as McHugh joins new party"
.
Impartial Reporter
. 2 February 2019.
Archived
from the original on 4 February 2019
. Retrieved
5 February
2019
.
- ^
Ryan, Philip.
"Toibin defends Aontu deputy leader's right to have a 'personal view' on face masks"
.
Irish Independent
.
Archived
from the original on 17 January 2021
. Retrieved
16 October
2020
.
- ^
"Anne McCloskey to step down as Aontu Councillor on Derry City Council"
.
Aontu
.
Archived
from the original on 17 October 2020
. Retrieved
16 October
2020
.
- ^
"Aontu: Emmet Doyle to replace Dr Anne McCloskey on council"
.
BBC News
. 6 November 2020.
Archived
from the original on 25 August 2021
. Retrieved
21 December
2020
.
- ^
McDermott, Stephen (26 November 2020).
"SIPO 'very concerned' about failure of Aontu and Renua to submit statements of their annual accounts"
.
TheJournal.ie
.
Archived
from the original on 26 November 2020
. Retrieved
26 November
2020
.
- ^
McQuinn, Cormac (27 November 2020).
"Aontu apologises for delay in sending accounts to watchdog"
. Irish Independent.
Archived
from the original on 9 July 2021
. Retrieved
7 July
2021
.
- ^
Casey, Ann (16 May 2022).
"Toibin targeting council seats after 'successful' NI election campaign"
.
Meath Chronicle
. Retrieved
14 July
2023
.
Deputy Toibin said Aontu is left of centre economically and socially conservative
- ^
Hugh Linehan (18 January 2023).
"Peadar Toibin on Aontu, Sinn Fein, immigration and ambition"
.
Inside Politics
(Podcast).
Irish Times
. Retrieved
14 July
2023
.
- ^
McBride, Sam (27 April 2019).
"Sam McBride: Though slightly obscured from view, a hypothetical path to devolution exists"
.
News Letter
.
Archived
from the original on 27 April 2019
. Retrieved
25 September
2019
.
- ^
O'Malley, Eoin (16 June 2019).
"Eoin O'Malley: Sound the death knell for pro-life Renua"
.
The Times
.
Archived
from the original on 23 December 2019
. Retrieved
23 December
2019
.
- ^
Harry McGee
(12 February 2019).
"A party is born: but can Aontu weather the long, hard road ahead?"
.
Irish Times
. Retrieved
14 July
2023
.
- ^
a
b
"Ireland's new pro-life party faces a critical test"
.
Catholic Herald
. 12 December 2019.
Archived
from the original on 23 December 2019
. Retrieved
23 December
2019
.
Aontu leans undeniably left on issues like economics, migration and climate change. [..] for a genuinely conservative option [..] Aontu is a welcome start
- ^
Mattha Busby (4 May 2019).
"Northern Ireland local election counts continue after DUP gains"
.
The Guardian
.
Archived
from the original on 4 May 2021
. Retrieved
4 May
2021
.
the newly formed anti-abortion party Aontu to be elected
- ^
"Profile: Peadar Toibin"
.
The Phoenix
. 14 July 2023
. Retrieved
14 July
2023
.
- ^
Howlin, Gerald (10 April 2019).
"New politics of nativism is just the bitter defence of a few bleak acres"
.
The Irish Examiner
. Retrieved
14 July
2023
.
- ^
Weeks, Liam (14 April 2019).
"Rising immigration concerns won't open the door for Aontu"
.
Irish Independent
. Retrieved
10 April
2022
.
- ^
"Immigration"
.
Aontu
. Retrieved
26 September
2022
.
- ^
Young, Connla (19 August 2021).
"North ready to do what it can for Afghan refugees"
.
The Irish News
. Retrieved
26 September
2022
.
- ^
Finn, Christina (21 November 2018).
"Toibin signs up two members to his new 'Euro-critical party' which aims to protect 'all human life'
"
.
TheJournal.ie
.
Archived
from the original on 27 March 2019
. Retrieved
8 February
2019
.
- ^
a
b
c
"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
24 January
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.
- ^
Finn, Christina (8 October 2021).
"Rent freeze, free transport, more homes: Here's what other parties say they would do if in power"
.
TheJournal.ie
. Retrieved
29 October
2021
.
- ^
Fitzgerald, Cormac (7 December 2018).
"Cavan councillor quits Fianna Fail to join Peadar Toibin's new party"
.
TheJournal.ie
. Retrieved
27 June
2022
.
- ^
"Aontu: Emmet Doyle to replace Dr Anne McCloskey on council"
.
BBC News
. 6 November 2020
. Retrieved
27 June
2022
.
- ^
Cross, Gareth (27 July 2019).
"Councillor Denise Mullen leaves SDLP over party's stance on abortion"
.
Belfast Telegraph
. Retrieved
27 June
2022
.
- ^
"Jim Codd"
.
TheJournal.ie
. Retrieved
27 June
2022
.
- ^
"SDLP councillor quits to join Aontu"
.
News Letter
. 27 July 2019. Archived from
the original
on 25 September 2019
. Retrieved
25 September
2019
.
- ^
- ^
Kelly, Michael (5 December 2019).
"Aontu can be proud of outpolling well-funded establishment parties"
.
The Irish Catholic
.
- ^
Kelly, Niall (9 April 2019).
"Council elections 2019 ? all you need to know Part I"
.
Slugger O'Toole
.
Archived
from the original on 30 April 2019
. Retrieved
30 April
2019
.
- ^
"The final result of Northern Ireland's council election for all parties"
.
As it happened: NI council election 2019
. BBC News. 4 May 2019.
Archived
from the original on 6 May 2019
. Retrieved
5 May
2019
.
;
Sweeney, Eamon.
"Council Election 2019: Aontu get first candidate elected in the North"
.
Derry Now
.
Archived
from the original on 5 May 2019
. Retrieved
5 May
2019
.
;
"Fermanagh and Omagh District Council candidates"
.
Election 2019
. BBC News. 4 May 2019.
Archived
from the original on 3 May 2019
. Retrieved
5 May
2019
.
Mid Tyrone .. Rosemarie Shields ... Eliminated
;
"Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council candidates"
.
Election 2019
. BBC News. 4 May 2019.
Archived
from the original on 5 May 2019
. Retrieved
5 May
2019
.
Craigavon ... Fergal Thomas Lennon ... Eliminated
- ^
"SDLP councillor quits party over same sex marriage vote and joins Aontu"
.
Belfasttelegraph
.
Archived
from the original on 26 July 2019
. Retrieved
26 July
2019
– via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
- ^
Finn, Christina (15 May 2019).
"Peadar Toibin hits out at larger parties: 'If you vote Fianna Fail, you get Fine Gael'
"
.
TheJournal.ie
.
Archived
from the original on 16 May 2019
. Retrieved
16 May
2019
.
;
Finn, Christina (4 June 2019).
"Aontu sets its sights on Dail seats as new party wins a handful of seats in the locals"
.
TheJournal.ie
.
Archived
from the original on 4 June 2019
. Retrieved
4 June
2019
.
- ^
"2019 European elections: List of candidates for Northern Ireland"
.
BBC
. 28 April 2019.
Archived
from the original on 30 April 2019
. Retrieved
30 April
2019
.
- ^
"European Election 2019 - Candidates"
.
RTE.ie
. 25 April 2019.
Archived
from the original on 27 April 2019
. Retrieved
30 April
2019
.
- ^
O'Halloran, Marie.
"Election 2020: Peadar Toibin targets four seats for Aontu"
.
IrishTimes.com
.
Archived
from the original on 21 January 2020
. Retrieved
21 January
2020
.
- ^
O Faolain, Aodhan (27 January 2020).
"Aontu leader withdraws action seeking to halt RTE election debate"
.
IrishTimes.com
.
Archived
from the original on 27 January 2020
. Retrieved
27 January
2020
.
- ^
"Mayo candidates await Seanad election results"
.
www.mayonews.ie
.
Archived
from the original on 18 June 2020
. Retrieved
17 June
2020
.
- ^
"Aontu Candidates"
. Retrieved
30 January
2022
.
- ^
"Northern Ireland Assembly Election Results 2022"
. Retrieved
9 May
2022
.
- ^
"Derry and Strabane election result"
.
BBC News
. Retrieved
9 August
2023
.
- ^
"Irish referendums: Voters reject changes to family and care definition"
.
BBC
. 10 March 2024.
Archived
from the original on 9 March 2024
. Retrieved
10 March
2024
.
- ^
Kealy, Michael; Melley, Brian (9 March 2024).
"Irish prime minister concedes defeat in a vote over constitutional amendments about family and women"
.
Associated Press
. Retrieved
20 March
2024
.
- ^
Finn, Christina (4 June 2019).
"Aontu sets its sights on Dail seats as new party wins a handful of seats in the locals"
.
TheJournal.ie
.
Archived
from the original on 4 June 2019
. Retrieved
4 June
2019
.
- ^
O'Halloran, Marie (20 January 2020).
"Election 2020: Peadar Toibin targets four seats for Aontu"
.
The Irish Times
.
Archived
from the original on 21 January 2020
. Retrieved
21 January
2020
.
- ^
"33rd DAIL GENERAL ELECTION 8 February 2020 Election Results (Party totals begin on page 68)"
(PDF)
.
Houses of the Oireachtas
.
Archived
(PDF)
from the original on 15 May 2020
. Retrieved
8 May
2020
.
- ^
"Northern Ireland Assembly Election Results 2022"
.
BBC News
. Retrieved
8 May
2022
.
- ^
Press, Aontu (1 June 2020).
"Youth Wing of Aontu Movement launched Over Zoom"
.
Archived
from the original on 21 June 2020
. Retrieved
20 June
2020
.
External links
[
edit
]