The Enemy Within The Government KEIR STARMER
For many right-minded Brits, Jeremy Corbyn’s political career was often overshadowed by his longstanding ties with both the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and its political affiliate, Sinn Féin. These connections were rooted in shared Marxist principles and a mutual opposition to British policies in Northern Ireland, which created an ideological alignment between Corbyn and the republican movement. His association with the IRA was well-documented and frequently criticized. This criticism intensified in 2017 when Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander turned Sinn Féin politician, passed away. Corbyn, then serving as the leader of the Labour Party, publicly paid a warm tribute to McGuinness, referring to him as an “ally” and praising his role in the peace process. These remarks provoked significant backlash, particularly from military veterans and families of IRA victims, who viewed his comments as deeply insensitive and politically contentious.
Keir Starmer, Corbyn’s successor, has made significant efforts to disassociate himself from his predecessor, even going so far as to permanently remove him from the Labour Party. This move was widely interpreted as a bid to rebrand the party and distance it from the controversies that plagued Corbyn’s leadership. However, what remains largely unknown to the British public is that Starmer himself maintains an ongoing connection with figures linked to the Marxist ideology of Sinn Fein-IRA, a relationship that raises questions about the consistency of his political stance and the direction of his leadership.
This paradox in Starmer’s approach has sparked debates among political analysts and commentators, with some questioning whether his actions reflect genuine ideological realignment or a calculated strategy to consolidate power within the party. Critics argue that while Starmer’s expulsion of Corbyn signalled a break from far-left politics, his alleged connections to figures linked to Sinn Fein-IRA suggest a more complex and perhaps contradictory political narrative.
When Keir Starmer won the Labour leadership election in 2020, one of the people congratulating him was Martina Anderson, a figure from his past. But who is Martina Anderson? In the 1980s, as a young woman, Anderson was an active member of the IRA, with multiple convictions to her name. Her most infamous conviction came in 1986 when she received a life sentence for conspiring to cause explosions. Earlier, in 1980, she had been arrested at the scene of a bombing in Londonderry and was later convicted for possessing a firearm and causing an explosion.
In June 1985, Anderson was apprehended at a makeshift bomb factory in Glasgow alongside four other individuals, including Patrick Magee, the Brighton bomber. Although Magee was the only one convicted in relation to the Brighton bombing, Anderson and the others were found guilty of conspiring to cause explosions. She was eventually released from prison in 1998 under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
Around the same time, Keir Starmer, then a young socialist lawyer, began working as a human rights advisor to the Northern Ireland Policing Board. This role placed him in proximity to Anderson, who, by then, had transitioned into politics as a Sinn Féin Assembly Member. Her appointment to the policing board was highly controversial, given the IRA’s history, including the killing of over 300 police officers. Despite the contentious nature of her position, Starmer appeared unperturbed and developed a bond with Anderson.
Their connection came into the spotlight when Starmer was elected Labour leader in 2020. Anderson publicly congratulated him and praised Jeremy Corbyn, sharing photos of herself with both Labour leaders. The photo with Starmer was taken in January 2018, during his tenure as Corbyn’s Brexit spokesman. Sinn Féin, like Starmer, opposed Brexit and campaigned to keep Northern Ireland within the EU — an outcome that, due to the complexities of the Tory Brexit deal, remains partially in place.
This rekindled association between Keir Starmer and Martina Anderson sparked debates among political commentators and the public. Critics pointed to Starmer’s willingness to engage with a figure once deeply entwined with the IRA, questioning whether this reflected poorly on his judgment or political alliances. Supporters, however, argued that his work with Anderson during his tenure as a human rights advisor demonstrated his commitment to reconciliation and dialogue, even in the face of controversy.
Starmer’s relationship with Anderson also highlighted the broader complexities of post-conflict Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement, which facilitated Anderson’s release, is often cited as a landmark achievement in peacebuilding, but it also necessitated uncomfortable compromises. Figures like Anderson, once viewed solely as adversaries, were integrated into political structures to ensure long-term stability. Starmer’s interactions with her can be seen as emblematic of this pragmatic approach to fostering peace.
As Labour leader, Starmer has sought to distance himself from Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership while navigating the party’s ideological divides. His prior association with Anderson has occasionally been used by opponents to link him to Corbyn’s perceived leniency toward controversial figures. Yet, Starmer’s stance on national security and law enforcement has been markedly firm, emphasizing his commitment to upholding the rule of law.
The photograph of Starmer and Anderson, taken during a shared anti-Brexit campaign moment, remains a visual reminder of the intricate political landscape surrounding Brexit. While their shared opposition to Brexit aligned their interests temporarily, it also underscored the differing motivations behind their stances. For Sinn Féin, Brexit threatened the fragile balance in Northern Ireland, while for Starmer, it represented a broader ideological and economic disagreement with Conservative policies.
As Starmer continues to shape his leadership and define Labour’s direction, his past associations, including those with figures like Martina Anderson, serve as a testament to the complexities of political life. They reflect the challenges of engaging with diverse viewpoints and navigating the intersections of history, ideology, and pragmatism in pursuit of broader goals.
Anderson has not toned down her Republican rhetoric and describes herself as a ‘former PoW’ on her social media profiles. While in prison she formed a close friendship with another female IRA convict, Ellie O’Dwyer.
O’Dwyer died June 6, 2024 at the Mater Hospital Dublin, and photos of her and her coffin currently adorn Anderson’s social media profiles (see X screenshot below).
In an effort to distance himself from Jeremy Corbyn and position himself as a moderate, patriotic leader, Keir Starmer has been notably cautious about drawing attention to his connections with Sinn Fein. This sensitivity stems, in part, from the political fallout he experienced in 2020 when Ian Lavery publicly endorsed him, causing significant embarrassment. Despite Starmer’s attempts to keep subsequent engagements with Sinn Fein discreet — particularly during meetings held in 2021 and 2022 — his efforts were undermined when Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald
posted on social media about their “very constructive meeting,” sparking renewed scrutiny.
Labour’s position on the Union seems to remain ambiguous. Starmer’s recent symbolic gestures, such as his prominent use of the Union flag, have been criticized as hollow and performative. In 2024, a former colleague alleged that, during his youth, Starmer had expressed support for a united Ireland. With Sinn Fein now asserting political dominance in Northern Ireland, concerns have grown over the stability of the Union in a Starmer-led government, raising questions about his true stance on the matter.
