Introduction:
The Sinn Féin 2024 Ard Fheis will take place on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September 2024, in the Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone.
This will be the first party conference where Stormont has been fully operational since February 2022.
The Party has recently been successful North of the border but appear to have stalled in the South.
What’s the context?
The last Westminster election proved to be a resounding success for Sinn Fein, taking home 27% of the vote, an increase of 4% from the previous Westminster elections, eclipsing its nationalist counterparts SDLP by a wide margin in a variety of Constituencies, with before-marginal seats like North Belfast and Fermanagh and South Tyrone now comfortable Sinn Fein seats.
The latest LucidTalk NI poll shows Sinn Fein firmly leading as Northern Ireland's largest party with 30%, up 1% from May. The poll highlighted Sinn Fein's success in expanding support beyond its traditional base, attracting both working and middle-class voters. First Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA is performing strongly, and Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA is earning praise across the house as Finance Minister.
Whilst the party is doing well in Northern Ireland, the party in the Republic of Ireland appear to be stalling. The recent local government and European elections proved to be an underwhelming night for the party. The Party was predicted to obtain 30%+ of the vote according to polls but ended up with 12%. Whilst this was an increase on the previous local election, it was suggested that Sinn Fein ran too many candidates and messaging was unclear.
A recent Irish Times/Ipsos opinion poll in the Republic of Ireland placed Sinn Fein on 20%, a 3% decrease from previous polls, with leader Mary Lou McDonald T.D on a 30% approval rating.
What can we expect?
On the Friday event, the event will open with an address from Sorca Clarke T.D and feature keynote speeches from Michelle O’Neill MLA and Pearse Doherty T.D
On Saturday, there are speeches planned on Irish Unity, Health, Housing and having an independent foreign policy. The event will close with the Presidential Address from Leader Mary Lou McDonald T.D.