A party in transition: Sinn Féin Ard Fheis 2017

Sinn Féin went back to its old stomping ground of the RDS in Dublin for this year’s Ard Fheis. While the venue may be familiar territory, the party faces changing times.

New challenges come in the form of abortion and future participation in a government in the Republic of Ireland, as well as a generational change following Gerry Adams's announcement that he would not contest the next Dáil election and that this was his last Ard Fheis as party president.

Following a robust, well-conducted debate, Sinn Féin rejected the conscience clause on abortion issues, prompted by the expected referendum to repeal the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution – as one source quipped, Sinn Féin (ourselves) won out against Me Féin (myself).  As important as it was, this was not the first critical debate for the party at this historic event.

Friday night saw conference change its previous position on entering into a coalition government. The party will now contemplate filling ministerial seats as a junior partner, subject to ratification by a special Ard Fheis. 

So, with key strategic decisions taken, and the much-trailed statement by Adams made, the party is preparing for further electoral growth, particularly in the Republic of Ireland. 

Things are less clear north of the border. The tribute to former deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was a moving testimony to a leader sadly missed both within and outside of the party. It was Kerry TD Martin Ferris, rather than the late McGuinness, sharing the stage with Adams as he confirmed his retirement and name-checked John Hume during his final speech.

The swiftness of Adams’s departure should come as no surprise – every leader knows that once you announce a date of departure, your power starts to diminish immediately. One need only recall the speculation that dogged Tony Blair’s final months at the head of the Labour Party.

The details of the process for appointing a new leader remain unclear, though it will be decided by the newly elected Ard Comhairle (party executive), which will meet in the next two weeks. Elected from separate male and female panels, the six women and men will need to manage this handover.

The Ard Comhairle is comprised of Martina Anderson MEP, Michelle O’Neill MLA, Lynn Boylan MEP, Megan Fearon MLA, Cllr Mairead Farrell, Senator Marie Devine, Sean Murray, Matt Carthy MEP, Chris Hazzard MP, Eoin O’Brion TD, current Dublin mayor Mícheál Mac Donncha and David Cullinane TD.

Conor Murphy MLA was elected treasurer along with Pearse Doherty TD. Declan Kearney MLA was elected chairperson. The general secretary is Dawn Doyle.

While most assume that Mary Lou McDonald TD will replace Adams as president, will a northerner emerge as her deputy? O’Neill has already ruled herself out of both roles, stating that she will have more than enough to do in working towards the return of a Stormont Executive.

The danger of fragmentation is significant and Sinn Féin needs to secure a north-south balance to retain its sometimes strained coherence as an all-island movement. Months of speculation lies ahead of us, it will be interesting to see who emerges as a likely contender from inside the northern team.