Power play: SF moves to strengthen its profile

In light of its disastrous performance in the last election, Sinn Féin cannot afford anymore setbacks in its quest for political success here, writes Political Correspondent Paul O’Brien

PRAISING the unions and the workers — tick.

Hammering the Government and the “golden circles” — tick.

Rubbishing Fine Gael and its conservative policies — tick.

Having some fun at the DUP’s expense — tick.

Empathising with the Palestinians and Basques and sending good wishes to Fidel — tick.

Reminiscing about Bobby Sands and declaring that the “struggle” continues — tick.

In many ways, this weekend’s Sinn Féin ard fheis was utterly predictable. When the North was at war, the party’s conferences were signature events for obvious reasons. But the North is calm now and Sinn Féin is in government there. And government is a hard, dull slog that rarely produces excitement.

And so it was, we had updates on the working relationship with the DUP, on the efforts to circumvent that party’s “obstinacy” and get nationalist goals achieved; on the future plans Sinn Féin had for education, health, the environment, and so on. Dull but worthy, is how a party member might sum it up. The North is a work in progress for the party.

The South, by contrast, is a different ball game entirely. Sinn Féin is nowhere near government here. The party had a disastrous outing in the last general election, actually losing a TD instead of gaining the three to five extra seats it thought possible. The prospect of power had suddenly become more elusive than ever, to say nothing of unification. And so, of most interest this weekend were the manoeuvres made to somehow change that situation over time.

The party’s great hope, MEP Mary Lou McDonald, was elevated from party chairperson to vice-president. That may not sound like much of a difference, but Sinn Féin insiders say it was, in fact, hugely significant.

The role of chairperson was seen largely as an administrative one — sorting out day-to-day matters such as internal party grievances, for example. The vice-president, by contrast, has a major role in steering Sinn Féin’s future direction, being second-in-command in the party behind Adams.

But there’s more. Because of the disastrous election results in 2007, Sinn Féin decided it would have to strengthen its southern leadership and profile. It would no longer do to put Adams forward as the face of the party in the South, especially given his much-derided performance in a televised pre-election debate. And so, Mary Lou, arguably the party’s most impressive media performer, is taking his place — and is now effectively Sinn Féin’s leader in the South.

She will spearhead the party’s campaign in the forthcoming Lisbon treaty referendum, just as she did the last, but with Adams less visible this time.

The date has yet to be named, but one thing is certain: Sinn Féin will again be campaigning for a No vote. The success of its campaign in the first referendum last year was a massive boost for Sinn Féin, and even those on the Yes side grudgingly admitted McDonald had been a star performer for the party.

Sinn Féin will hope that another solid campaign — regardless of the result — will boost its profile further and improve its chances for the next general election, whenever that may fall.

But, of course, before any of that will be the local and European elections in June. Talk of strategy for those elections was conspicuous by its absence this weekend. That is because the strategy is hammered out in private, and the party’s candidates are receiving ongoing training in preparation for the June 5 showdown.

THE PARTY will be hoping to capitalise on the collapse of Fianna Fáil support, although recent polls show it is Labour, rather than Sinn Féin, which is hoovering up the FF deserters. Reversing that situation will be a major challenge for the party. It’s not the only one.

McDonald faces a massive challenge in her own right. The MEP is set to run for re-election to Europe, but her Dublin constituency is going from a four-seater to three, meaning she faces a huge task in holding her seat.

On top of that, there is the outside possibility that the Dublin Central by-election, caused by the death of Independent TD Tony Gregory, may also go ahead on June 5.

McDonald could not hold a European and a Dáil seat, given the abolition of the dual mandate. But it appears there is nothing to prevent her running in both elections, and choosing later should she win.

In practical terms, a place in the Dáil would be of much more benefit to McDonald and Sinn Féin than one in Europe, as it would instantly increase her visibility.

But the contest to win the Dublin Central seat will be just as fierce if not fiercer than the European election.

Victory in either would be an impressive result and a boost for the party. But defeat in both could cripple her leadership before she has even had a chance to get settled in.

And even a party as patient in chasing its goals as Sinn Féin can’t afford many more such setbacks in the South.