“Say goodbye to government for the vested interests, vulture funds, and the cosy club. Vote for a government for working people. For you, your family, your community… that’s the government Sinn Féin will deliver.”
Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin President
By Joe Dwyer, Sinn Féin London Office
Delegates from across Ireland’s thirty-two counties met in the town of Athlone, the heart of Ireland’s midlands, at the end of September for Sinn Féin’s annual Ard Fheis (party conference). With the anticipation of an election in the southern state in the air, party delegates debated the issues of the day and decided Sinn Féin party policy for the contest to come.
The Friday evening saw a keynote address by First Minister Michelle O’Neill, who told delegates, “A lot has changed since we last met. This time last year the return of the power-sharing institutions seemed remote, if not hopeless. But we never gave up. Sinn Féin intensified efforts to ensure the election outcome and our electoral mandate was respected. I am therefore proud to stand here today as First Minister.”
The Sinn Féin Vice President continued, “My election was a moment of equality and progress. For the first time in the history of the north, an Irish nationalist, a republican is First Minister. What was unthinkable to my parents and grandparents’ generation is now a reality. I said from day one that I would serve everyone equally. That I will be a First Minister for all. That all four parties of the Executive must deliver an ambitious agenda for change. And standing here, I am more determined than ever.”
Adding, “Over the past eight months I have been working across key sectors and with local communities from Pomeroy to the Shankill Road, from Newcastle to the Bogside, to ensure their voices are heard in the corridors of power and that the Executive responds to their needs. The four Executive parties are working with a unity of purpose. We are determined to deliver the public services, good governance, economic growth and strong communities that we all depend on. Our work aims to improve lives, build prosperity and create hope and opportunity. It is welcome to have the return of the North-South Ministerial Council for vital All-Ireland cooperation.”
The following day, attention turned towards the imminent election in the South. Sinn Féin’s Finance Spokesperson, Pearse Doherty told the Ard Fheis that the final choice at the next election was between a government led by Sinn Féin or Fine Gael. Addressing the online audience at home as much as the party members in the room, he stated, “It’s your choice. Who do you want to lead government? Do you want change or more of the same? Do you want a party with a housing plan that brings homeownership back within reach of ordinary people or do you want another generation stuck in their childhood bedrooms in their thirties or on a flight to Australia?”
The Deputy from Donegal continued, “Do you want fairness for communities or sweetheart deals for vulture funds and friends of the government? Do you want millions of the money you pay in taxes wasted on bike sheds, security huts, tax breaks for the wealthiest and in overspends on the most expensive hospital in the world or do you want accountability so that your money is spent delivering the services and infrastructure that you and your community needs?”
A favourite highlight of the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis weekend is always the international section, providing an opportunity to extend solidarity and share common experience of political struggle with international comrades. This year was no different with a keynote address from Paul Mashatile, the Deputy President of the ANC and of the Republic of South Africa.
In an address that was live-streamed online on the Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, Deputy President Mashatile stated, “I’m here today because Ireland and South Africa have longstanding relations based on common principles and experiences in the fight against apartheid and the pursuit of peace. Ireland was a strong supporter of the liberation struggle, particularly the Irish anti-apartheid movement. We are here today as the African National Congress (ANC) because you believed in us during the dark days of apartheid – you decided to stand with us even when it was less favourable to do. We are indebted to you and there are no words to express our gratitude for the role you have played in supporting us.”
In a notable public intervention, the Deputy President stated, “Today we want to let you know that we are with you in your fight for the unity of Ireland. As the ANC and Sinn Féin, we have worked together on a variety of international fora to advance human rights, democracy and social justice. We also shared experiences and tactics for grass roots organising, political involvement and nation building. This should continue to be our mode of operation.” Before concluding, “The ANC and Sinn Féin should maintain a connection based on solidarity shared goals, albeit operating in distinct national context and political landscape. This weekend because of solidarity forever, because our union makes us strong. I want to end by saying forward to a united Ireland.”
The final address of the conference was by Uachtarán Shinn Féin – and leader of the opposition in Dáil Éireann (the lower house of the Irish Parliament) – Mary Lou McDonald. In her address as party leader, Ms McDonald outlined how the upcoming general election provides an opportunity to turn the page on crises in housing, health and the cost of living, and offers voters a chance to vote instead for hope, ambition and delivery.
In a rallying cry to the party faithful, the Sinn Féin President concluded, “Don’t let those who have run this state for over a hundred years have their own way again. They told us that a nationalist would never lead government in the North. They were wrong. Hold tightly to your hope, your belief, our dream. The dream of Easter 1916, sustained by generations of believers who faced the hard road and never, ever gave in. The realisation of that dream now falls to us.”
Adding, “Say goodbye to government for the vested interests, vulture funds, and the cosy club. Vote for a government for working people. For you, your family, your community. With your support, if you give us the opportunity, that’s the government Sinn Féin will deliver. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. Let’s seize it with both hands. Go raibh míle maith agaibh agus An Phoblacht Abú. (Thank you very much and up the Republic!)”
The conference ended with high spirits and excitement for the upcoming electoral contest. Irish republicans are often at their best when their backs are up against the wall. The approaching election will not be an easy campaign, but any observer of the Ard Fheis could not help but come away with the confidence that Sinn Féin will bring the fight to the political establishment in the South. Struggle is the cost of victory and Sinn Féin is a party well-versed in struggle.
- Joe Dwyer is a political organiser for the Sinn Féin London Office. You can follow him on Twitter/X here.
- This article is reproduced from ‘Labour Briefing’ magazine.
