In a statement on March 26, 2025, a spokesperson for Comhairle Uladh (Ulster Executive), Sinn Féin Poblachtach said: “The current capitalist strategy being implemented by the British government shows that when British financial interests fail, it is the poorest individuals who get battered.

“It is into enough to state that the rogue regime of imperialist Britain has consistently employed attrition and manoeuvre warfare against the inhabitants of the Occupied Six Counties of Ireland for countless years.

“However, one cannot help but remind others of a dictum associated with manoeuvre-warfare from Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) where he states: ‘Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.’ This example lays bare Britain’s preferred tactic which is underhanded in their pursuit of power.

“It is imperative that Sinn Féin Poblachtach states its position on this continual and tactical war of attrition. As Irish Republicans we identify with a cause, beginning with the cause of humanity in Ireland. We don’t ascribe to the proverbial back-slapping nor coat-trailing alongside warmongering imperialists. In order to demonstrate the fierce opposition to this war of attrition, Sinn Féin Poblachtach shows support for the right of the Irish people to use controlled and disciplined force.

“There are those who write us off uphold a pro-British nationalistic agenda and no longer advocate to remove, forever and completely, the British presence from Ireland, nor do they want the establishment of a Federal Democratic Socialist Republic based on the Proclamation of 1916.

“Sinn Féin Poblachtach believes that it’s those pro-British lickspittles who are still allowing their own people to take a battering along with the poorest in society.

“The issue goes as far back as October 2012 when the British-Stormont administration introduced its Welfare Reform Bill (2012). However, this bought controversy and due to a lack of political consensus it sat on a shelf.

“Two years later, in December 2014, the so-called Stormont House Agreement (Fresh Start) participants agreed to implement welfare changes in 2015-16. Incidentally, this didn’t happen either!

“However, the British- Stormont administration of both nationalist/unionist agreed to delegate all powers connected to the Welfare Reform Bill (2012). In the usual method of quid pro quo the imperialist regime in Westminster took firm hold as a matter of urgency.

“Sinn Féin Poblachtach believes it is morally repugnant for politicians to call reforms financial savings when the poor get poorer. Moreover, it serves to demonstrate how willing those in power are prepared to use attrition and manoeuvre warfare against the sick, elderly and disabled residing in the Occupied Six Counties.

“According to Patrick Murphy, writing an opinion piece in the Irish News, ‘Britain is broke, yes penniless, insolvent and down and out’. He also claims that due to that it explains the rise in national insurance, reduced winter fuel payments and this week’s attack on the weak and vulnerable.

A century ago, Edward Carson told the British House of Lords: “What a fool I was. I was only a puppet, and so was Ulster, and so was Ireland, in the political game that was to get the Conservative Party into power.”

“Sinn Féin Poblachtach will always stand with the vulnerable in society and opposes the latest cuts imposed by a foreign government on our people.”

Ranganna:[RSF News] Statements