Aontú, which describes itself as Ireland’s fastest-growing political party, has set its sights on forthcoming elections in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The 10-month-old party, whose name means “unity” and “agreement” in Irish, is the only all-Ireland pro-life party. 

Led by ex-Sinn Féin deputy Peadar Tóibín, Aontú hopes to give voice to the third of the Irish electorate who voted against abortion in last year’s referendum.  

After two elections, it has attracted 35,000 votes and currently holds six council seats, as well as Tóibín’s existing seat in Dáil Éireann (the lower house of the Irish parliament). The party stood seven candidates in December’s election in Northern Ireland and hopes to contest 20 out of 40 constituencies in the next general election in the South.