Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
SINN FÉIN’S MICHELLE O’Neill is facing a challenge for her job at the party’s Ard Fheis this weekend.
MLA for Upper Bann John O’Dowd, who has been a member of Sinn Féin for over 30 years, is contesting her seat.
More than 2,000 party members will have their say on who should be the vice-president of the party, with the result being announced on Saturday evening ahead of Sinn Féin party leader Mary Lou McDonald’s address at the party conference.
O’Neill became vice president in January 2018 when McDonald succeeded the retiring Gerry Adams as president.
The party has faced some criticism for not holding hustings in the competition.
MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone Michelle Gildernew told reporters yesterday that a decision was taken not to hold hustings as members were busy campaigning for by-elections and elections in the North.
Donegal TD Pearse Doherty said the rules of how such a competition would be handled by the party was agreed two years ago at previous party conference, well before this contest, stating that they set out that no hustings will take place.
Both party members denied that O’Dowd was not getting a fair opportunity to contest the party’s vice-presidency.
“Believe you me, both candidates are engaging in a campaign,” said Doherty, who added that party members are being lobbied by both candidates for their vote.
He said a campaign is very much underway, but would not be drawn on who he is backing in the race.
Doherty said his preferred candidate is confident in the knowledge they have his support.
Gildernew has already publicly backed O’Dowd and reaffirmed her position yesterday. She added that competition in the party is “healthy”.
Kathleen Funchion, TD for Carlow and Kilkenny, confirmed she will be backing O’Neill.
Doherty added that both candidates have been given access to the full list of party members and have both been campaigning intensely.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Both Michelle and Mary Lou have proved to be weak enough leaders for sinn Fein they need a change to move on as a party
@dick dastardly: Many here said Adams was holding them back. Now its McDonald & O’Neill. Maybe they simply don’t appeal to a large majority of voters irrespective of party leader.
@Clifford Brennan: The three of them are holding them back, the longer they stay the better.
@Clifford Brennan: SF were the part that lobbied the EU to get the North and Ireland special designation in the Brexit negotiations. Early on Enda Kenny and FF insisted that we shouldn’t. Google it yourself. Keyboard warriors for the likes of FG and FF do not like SF getting credit for delivering.
@DaMoons: Provisional SF didn’t even bother to register to campaign during the Brexit referendum, and continue refuse to take seats in Stormont; solely interested in delivering pointless press conferences on steps of Stormont rather than walking up the steps to do their job
@Stephen Kearon: You are 100% correct because ‘Provisional’ SF doesn’t exist.
@Stephen Kearon: Pretty sure FF didn’t and FG didnt either. SF did campaign. FF did not. What’s your point big man?
Anyone for a kangaroo court?
@BewaretheBeardies: They are not gone away you know….. can see Lisa Smith on her return running in the next locals
@Tony Henry: FG and FF usually Hoover up their candidates Tom. It does not matter to FFG about their political acumen so long as they can get votes.
If looks could kill :-)
The only party that has any interest in helping those on the lower end of society…
@MickN: Wrong
Mary Lou hasn’t made much of an impact so far. It would be interesting to see if she switches into high gear come election time. Michelle O’Neill is low profile in comparison. She doesn’t put herself up front that much and appears to lack punch. Especially as regards the impasse at Stormont where Shrek Foster seems to be allowed to run her cake hole off at any given opportunity unchallenged. All things considered the leadership challenge doesn’t seem much of a surprise.
@Stíofán Muilleoir: Unlike FFG, there is plenty of capable and untainted talent available to SF. They need to tap into it sooner rather than later.
@Denis McClean: Dead right you are–One of them (“Their capable and untainted talent”) died with a heart attack when the British police raided his safe house last week.
@Denis McClean: totally agree with you. Pearse Doherty and others are proof of what you are saying.
@Denis McClean: really? Plenty of capable and untainted leadership? I am all ears… please tell us who.
@lambda sensor: better take your blueshirt specs off.
have your say