The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis returns to the Millennium Forum in Derry this weekend for the second time in five years.
The Party will be meeting for the first time since it suffered significant losses in the Local and European Elections in the South earlier in the year.
The party will hold an un-precedented vote for Vice President following John O’Dowd’s challenge to Michelle O’Neill. With no hustings taking place or time allocated to set out each candidate’s plans, the current leadership is likely to remain. For some, this appears to have been a choreographed move by the party to improve Michelle O’Neill’s standing.
Business from the Clár
Much of the focus of the 166 motions in the Clár reflects the dangers associated with Brexit, the upcoming General Election and the countdown to a General Election in the Republic of Ireland.
Significant business includes planning for Irish reunification; an all-Ireland economy; the need to deliver a large-scale public housing programme; and a range of measures to improve the financial situation of workers and families.
A motion has called for the Ard Chomlairle to instigate a party wide consultation and review of the current method of election to the posts of President and Vice President and to report back prior to the 2020 Ard Fheis.
A fringe event will take place that will discuss the economic merits of a United Ireland with Professor of Economic Research at the ESRI, Seamus McGuinness.
Foyle Candidate, Elisha McCallion will make three keynote addresses at the Ard Fheis including introducing President Mary Lou McDonald at 8.30pm on Saturday evening.
Electoral Challenges
Sinn Féin currently hold seven Westminster seats and Michelle O’Neill has said the party hopes to return eight MPs with the election of Belfast City Lord Mayor, John Finucane in North Belfast. Finucane has a strong chance of winning this seat with the SDLP and Green Party not standing.
In Foyle, Elisha McCallion won the seat for Sinn Féin for the first time in 2017 with a majority of 169 votes. The party faces a significant battle to retain this seat with Colum Eastwood determined to win this constituency back for the SDLP. The strong support for anti-abortion, Aontú candidate, Anne McCloskey in this constituency who is also a candidate could be a deciding factor.
Fermanagh South-Tyrone is another marginal seat held by Sinn Fein. The incumbent Michelle Gildernew will be quietly confident of retaining this seat despite a strong challenge from Tom Elliott.
The party is likely to retain its seats in West Belfast, West Tyrone, Mid Ulster, Newry and Armagh and South Down however, the abstentionist debate, recent Abortion legislation, failure to re-establish an Assembly and Brexit could impact on the overall vote share.
In the Republic of Ireland, the party will also contest four by-elections which will be another indication of the support which exists ahead of a likely General Election in 2020.