Signs of a thaw? Sinn Féin Ard Fheis 2018

No one was left in doubt that this was an Ard Fheis different from any other as they entered the Waterfront at the weekend under a huge banner bearing the faces of the new leadership team of Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill.

Seven months on from the last Ard Fheis, was dominated by the departure of former President Gerry Adams, the party assembled again. Protestors brandishing pro-life posters were a reminder of why the party were meeting again so soon. The result of the referendum in the Republic of Ireland necessitated debate about party policy. Having been mandated to campaign to repeal the 8^th amendment, the leadership had to return to party members for guidance on its approach to the Irish Government’s proposed legislation.

The debate on women’s healthcare saw passionate contributions from party members from all generations, including Martina Anderson MEP who said that the last time she participated in a debate about the subject, she was mandated by her fellow female prisoners in Maghaberry jail, concluding, "the north will be next.” Others praised Mary Lou McDonald for her contribution to the Repeal campaign. Most speakers urged their colleagues to support a change in the law, and reject the motion calling for members to be given the freedom to vote on abortion according to their conscience. This motion was roundly rebuffed with the Ard Fheis directing Sinn Féin elected representatives to legislate in line with the referendum result.

Lunch time fringe events attracted engaged delegates upstairs to discuss the issues of Irish language, poverty and Brexit. Conor Murphy MLA told those gathered at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation event that there is a separation of social and economic policy, with social policy left to pick up the pieces. Whilst Border Communities Against Brexit campaigner John Sheridan received resounding applause for his defiance against a hard border from those attending Martina Anderson’s Brexit discussion.

Michelle O’Neill used her first Ard Fheis as Vice President to deliver a “call to action” to “nurture peace and promote reconciliation.” She told the party faithful that “Republicans must show example to others within and between our communities.” The sentiments were echoed by Mary Lou McDonald in her inaugural Presidential address to the Ard Fheis, and she wants to see her party’s partners in government do the same:

“We need partners who will legislate for the common good, not on the basis on personal prejudice or religious fundamentalism. Partners who place respect, reconciliation, and the rights of citizens, above all else. Partners with a real commitment to power-sharing – to sharing power, to mutual recognition, to rights. These are the things the DUP must embrace.”

As DUP leader Arlene Foster continues a series of outreach engagements following a meeting with the Fermanagh GAA team and a visit to Belfast Islamic Centre, is this the beginning of a thaw in relations between the parties?