As Sinn Féin heads into next Dáil, it faces a crucial moment in its quest for growth, power and delivering on its mission of seismic change
As Sinn Féin heads into next Dáil, it faces a crucial moment in its quest for growth, power and delivering on its mission of seismic change
When studying the election outcome, one Sinn Féin strategist concedes privately: “The ultimate goal was to get into government, and from that point of view, it wasn’t a successful election.” Comments from McDonald about a potential front bench reshuffle have set tongues wagging among senior TDs. In a pre-Christmas interview with the Sunday Times, the Dublin Central TD did not rule out moving stalwarts such as the party’s housing spokesman, which for so long was the cornerstone of the party’s criticism of Government and seen as the foundation of its growth.
Some party figures believe the policy provided a soft underbelly for the Government to attack, raising questions over whether banks would finance mortgages under the model. TDs say that, politically, the policy “tied us up in knots ... and injected a degree of uncertainty in the public’s mind”. At least one frontbencher now believes the Dublin Mid-West man will be shuffled out of housing and allowed to apply his talents elsewhere, potentially in climate.
Some in the parliamentary party favour an overhaul that grows the leadership group and allows TDs more exposure, with a view to securing extra seats through running mates in the next general election. Closer co-operation with other Opposition parties is seen as key, although there is lingering resentment towards the Labour Party; some in Sinn Féin believe Labour leader Ivana Bacik targeted their party almost as much as it did the Government. Sinn Féin plans to try to explain its positions better on things such as carbon tax in an effort to quell concerns on the centre left about its climate commitments.
Mary-Lou-Mcdonald Michelle-O-Neill Fine-Gael Fianna-Fail Dail-Eireann Seanad-Eireann Pearse-Doherty
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