Elaine Loughlin: Lack of front bench change suggests SF is not serious about governing

Mary Lou McDonald's reshuffle leaves three key policy areas in the same hands as before — posing a significant challenge if Sinn Féin ever seeks to form a coalition with other parties 

Pressed on the lack of change in her front bench, Sinn Fén leader Mary Lou McDonald said: 'Let me tell you, if any other party had Pearse Doherty in finance and Eoin Ó Broin in housing and David Cullinane in health they wouldn’t change them either.' Picture: Gráinne Ní Aodha/PA 

In failing to refresh her top team, Mary Lou McDonald has signalled that her party of change is not serious about a future in government.

McDonald’s new front bench, unveiled to align with the recently-appointed Cabinet, looks very much the same as pervious iterations, with the high-profile and highly coveted spokesperson positions of finance, housing, and health remaining unchanged along with the party’s chief whip.