Mary Lou McDonald will analyse opinion poll data as Sinn Féin's popularity slips further 

SF support has fallen from a high of 36% in 2022 to below 30% in the last five opinion polls, with the latest putting the party at 28%

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald meeting DUP leader Jeffery Donaldson at Stormont last weekend. On Thursday, Ms McDonald rebuffed his earlier remarks about her belief that a border poll is within 'touching distance'. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA 

Mary Lou McDonald has no “scientific answer” to explain the slide in support for her party but will be analysing recent polls.

The Sinn Féin leader has also doubled down on her view that a border poll will take place this decade.

Sinn Féin’s support has fallen to below 30% in the last five opinion polls, with the latest putting the party at 28%. This is a fall from a high of 36%, which the party recorded back in 2022.

“I think we are at the point now where people are asking: ‘What will Sinn Féin do?’ They want more specifics,” Ms McDonald said when asked about the party’s standing in the polls.

However, Ms McDonald said she couldn’t give a “scientific answer straight off the bat” when asked if there are any specific reasons for the fall in support.

“We will always have an eye and an ear for where the public mood is, and of course we want to correct things and remain on a strong footing,” she said.

Speaking in London, Ms McDonald predicted a border poll on Northern Ireland’s constitutional future will be held before 2030.

“I envisage us having the referendums in this decade,” she told Sky News.

Asked to clarify if that meant before 2030, she replied: “Yes, and let me say that it is not so far away, so there’s an awful lot of work that needs to be done.

I’ve said consistently to the Government in Dublin that they really need to take possession of this conversation that’s now underway right across Ireland.

Last week, Ms McDonald said unification was within “touching distance”, prompting DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson to remark that his political rival must have the “longest arms on this island”.

Mr Donaldson rejected suggestions of a poll within the next decade, insisting “we are nowhere near a united Ireland”.

Ms McDonald came back on his comments on Thursday.

“When I say unity is within touching distance, I said in historic terms, I don’t mean that it’s happening next week, or next month,” she said.

“So you don’t have to have those long arms that Jeffrey refers to. But what I am saying, what I firmly believe, is in this decade we will have those referendums and it’s my job and the job of people like me who believe in reunification to convince, to win hearts and minds, and to convince people of that opportunity.”

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill, who is in London with Ms McDonald, later accused Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris of “ignoring the reality” on the issue of constitutional change.

Earlier this week, Mr Heaton-Harris said he did not expect a border poll within his lifetime.

“I think Chris Heaton-Harris, with all due respect, that’s a bit of an ostrich mentality, sticking your head in the sand and refusing to see what’s actually happening all around you,” she told ITV.

Ms O’Neill added: “I think he’s ignoring the reality. My election speaks to the change that’s happening across the island.”