Sinn Féin and doing what they’re told

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If there’s one thing unionist politicians enjoy doing, it’s telling republicans who should represent them (republicans, that is). We got a lot of this during the years when the Orange Order thought that it had an unfettered right to march where it chose: if there was to be any discussion with residents about this right, it must not include spokesmen such as  Breandán Mac Cionnaith.

Unionists north and south of the border (Yes, Virginia, there are one or two down Dublin 4 way) have for several years now been following a similar linewith regard to the leadership of Sinn Féin. Sometimes, particularly in the case of D4 unionists, they cloak their leadership criticism in honey. That is, they urge Sinn Féin to change its President, but say it would be a wise move because then ‘new skins’ like Mary Lou McDonald or Pearse Doherty could take the Sinn Féin helm, and lots of people who wouldn’t have voted Sinn Féin because of perceived baggage carried by Adams, would flock to vote for the party.

Being of a modest nature, I’d be slow to disagree with a Dublin 4 thinker, but I must in this matter. It is true that there are people who cannot abide Gerry Adams, but if Gerry Adams were replaced by, say, Mary Lou, would that mean there’d be a Corbyn-style tsunami of new members flooding in to Sinn Féin? I doubt it. For every voter dissuaded from voting Sinn Féin by the person of Gerry Adams, there are others who vote for Sinn Féin for that very reason. They believe that Adams bore the heat of the sun, so to say, during the Troubles, and has shown masterly skills in growing the party into the biggest in Ireland. Does Mary Lou or Pearse have the same political presence as the current leader? Probably not.

But while Gerry Adams and the Sinn Féin party are right to reject calls for his replacement from people with no love and probably some detestation of Sinn Féin, they also are aware that the bell will eventually toll for Gerry Adams. What to do then?

Any replacement leader of Sinn Féin needs to project two major commitments: to equality and to a new, reunited Ireland. There is little doubt that Mary Lou and even more so Pearse have a firm grip on the economics of our present state of partition, and how things might change for the better with a reunited country. But while you might hand the younger people the compliment of knowing their sums, you might be slower to hand them the compliment of being as committed to national reunification.

In short, Gerry Adams is obviously committed to Irish unity, while his grasp on the economics of equality less obvious. With Mary Lou and Pearse (and other potential leaders – let’s not assume this will be a two-horse race), it’s the other way round: their commitment to equality economics and social justice is clear; their commitment to a reunited Ireland is less obvious.

 

Recent remarks by Martin McGuinness have confirmed that he and Gerry Adams are looking at the question of who comes after them. Given the shambles the SDLP was plunged into when John Hume withdrew from politics, you’d imagine Adams and McGuinness are determined that nothing similar will happen with Sinn Féin. And stand by for some ramping up of reunification credentials by those with an eye to succeeding them.

 

 

18 Responses to Sinn Féin and doing what they’re told

  1. MT September 25, 2016 at 11:12 am #

    The Provisionasl have achieved very significamt growth in Southern Ireland by switching emphasis away from traditional republican united-Ireland politics towards a more radical.left-wing economic and social position.

    It might therefore be foolish to go back.to emphasising the old united Ireland stuff.

    • Colmán September 25, 2016 at 6:08 pm #

      ‘old united Ireland stuff’ that’s funny MT how can something that hasn’t happened yet be ‘old’?

  2. ComradeMagee September 25, 2016 at 11:46 am #

    What’s interesting though, Jude is recent criticism of Adams coming from within the party, namely Thomas McNulty, who heads the party’s Virginia Mullagh branch in Co Cavan. He stated that’s there’s “groundswell of opinion” within the party who believe Adams is no longer the right man to lead the party. Added to this McNulty is one of the old rearguard militant republicans, not a recent blow in. Sinn Fein’s internal party discipline has prevented outspoken critics of Adams ever coming to the fore from within.

    I have often criticised Adams on your blog, but theres no disputing his ability to lead the party and grow it significantly, once doing what was thought the impossible , overtaking the SDLP to become the majority Nationalist Party and propelling SF into a significant party on the island – but, in more recent times, is he more a liability to the party than an asset? I also note with pressure being applied to his leadership recently, Spotlight ran a programme on Tuesday evening, albeit with absolutely no evidence, bringing Adams into the fore again, his alleged past under scrutiny. I feel also an it’s an imperative for SF to have a Southern leader – for this past number of years I feel the party had has a focus on the South as the North has been pushed aside – was Adams’ move to Louth the beginning of the transition of handing the leadership baton over to a southern counterpart ?

  3. giordanobruno September 25, 2016 at 12:40 pm #

    The fact is SF must win over more voters if they are to get anywhere near power in the South, from where they will usher us all into their brave new world.
    Gerry Adams cannot attract any new support at this stage. What is the appeal?
    Are the allegations that he was involved in the execution of Donaldson going to encourage anyone to vote for him? I doubt it.

  4. Robert September 25, 2016 at 1:37 pm #

    Why would any Unionist wish to get rid of Gerry Adams?

    We understand him exactly.

    The majority of the Southern Irish electorate understand him and are repulsed by his past history so he and his party will never have the promised breakthrough in the Southern elections.

    He is an easy opponent to take on when economics are being discussed because he is out of his depth.

    Or perhaps its a changing generations that scare you after all Gerry Adams is at the younger end of your generation and perhaps the younger generations are perhaps not as emotionally tied up in the things you believe to be important?

    • Ryan September 25, 2016 at 11:22 pm #

      “Why would any Unionist wish to get rid of Gerry Adams?”

      So you want him to stay?….

      “We understand him exactly.”

      I doubt that.

      “The majority of the Southern Irish electorate understand him and are repulsed by his past history so he and his party will never have the promised breakthrough in the Southern elections.”

      That explains why he topped the poll at every election he fought in County Louth and has made Sinn Fein the biggest party in Ireland. That’s why he’s been labelled the most popular leader in the South. Anywhere Enda Kenny, Micheal Martin, etc goes to give a speech may draw a crowd. But anywhere Gerry Adams goes to give a speech there is only standing room left. His party nearly doubled their seats at the last election, despite a very bias and aggressive media campaign against Sinn Fein. This weekend the polls showed Sinn Fein has risen 2 points. If they continue the way they are going its almost inevitable they will be part of the Irish Government, with or without Gerry Adams.

      “He is an easy opponent to take on when economics are being discussed because he is out of his depth”

      He’s no expert but hes not that bad. David Cameron while on the campaign trail couldn’t answer some questions on economics. It happens. But I’d love to see you try to take him on Robert, I’m sure Gerry would be like puttie in your hands……Gerry may have taken on and bitch slapped 6 men at once on the Late Late Show ambush but sure you’ll be able to handle him…

      “Or perhaps its a changing generations that scare you ”

      The younger generations are much more likely to vote Sinn Fein than the older ones, as survey’s showed.

      “perhaps the younger generations are perhaps not as emotionally tied up in the things you believe to be important?”

      Does that explain why Orange Order membership is only 1/3 of what it was in the 1960’s? and is continuing to decline?

      I’m part of the younger generation and I still want things like Irish Unity. The only thing I don’t agree with Sinn Fein on is their slippery stance on abortion, I’m Pro-Life. I’m looking forward to Fianna Fail contesting elections here in 2019, if their stance is right I may vote them.

      I would say the Nationalist electorate is much younger than the Unionist, given how the demographics are made up. If that is true, then its obvious where we’re going in the future…..

      • Robert September 26, 2016 at 11:43 am #

        I doubt that.

        Then you would be wrong.

        That explains why he topped the poll at every election he fought in County Louth and has made Sinn Fein the biggest party in Ireland. That’s why he’s been labelled the most popular leader in the South. Anywhere Enda Kenny, Micheal Martin, etc goes to give a speech may draw a crowd. But anywhere Gerry Adams goes to give a speech there is only standing room left. His party nearly doubled their seats at the last election, despite a very bias and aggressive media campaign against Sinn Fein. This weekend the polls showed Sinn Fein has risen 2 points. If they continue the way they are going its almost inevitable they will be part of the Irish Government, with or without Gerry Adams.

        If they were so popular how come SF were well beaten by both FG and FF. Especially when it had been SF`s main goal to replace FF if they cant to it when the country is in trouble when will they do it?

        He’s no expert but hes not that bad. David Cameron while on the campaign trail couldn’t answer some questions on economics. It happens. But I’d love to see you try to take him on Robert, I’m sure Gerry would be like puttie in your hands……Gerry may have taken on and bitch slapped 6 men at once on the Late Late Show ambush but sure you’ll be able to handle him…

        Even a low grade worker would be able to take on Gerry Adams on and beat him in an economic debate.

        Does that explain why Orange Order membership is only 1/3 of what it was in the 1960’s? and is continuing to decline?

        Stick to the relevant argument.

  5. Perkin Warbeck September 25, 2016 at 2:24 pm #

    There’s a Franciscan Church located on Merchants Quay, Dublin , Esteemed Blogmeister, which is universally known as ‘Adam and Eve’s’.

    For obvious reasons most folk take it that this is the actual name of the church , to do with the Garden of Eden, the serpent, an Apple and the first, erm, opposite sex married couple. That sorta thingy.

    Not so; its actual name is the Church of the Immaculate Conception, but you’d have to embark on a fairly long camino royal before meeting a soul who could or would call it by its official name.

    In fact ‘Adam and Eve’s’ is a nickname which refers back to a local eponymous (!) tavern in the town where the Franciscans used to (furtively ) celebrate Mass in medieval times.

    (Often wondered why Dublin barmen used to be called curates).

    Having been unceremoniously turfed out of their former church on Francis Street with the Dissolution Regime of Fat Harry, aka King Herry VIII. If the Franciscans then thought they had it bad under the Suppression Acts of the 1500s they’d find they had it fairly handy compared to their Franciscan confreres of today.

    There was no hackitariat humming out of a homogenous hymnsheet on Liffeyside back in the day.

    All of which, by a commodious vicus of recirculation, EB, is saying that when the time, in its own good t., comes for Adams to exit the Garden of Sinn Fein his place oughter be taken as Head Gardener by a daughter of Eve, i.e, Mary Lou McDonald.

    One came finally to that conclusion yesterday after listening to her performance on a blog-provoking prog on RTE, the station of the Southern Yunes nation.

    But first, another short scenic and hyenic detour:

    The Great Shakes ’s greatest insult ( bar none ), was put into the mouth of Kent and aimed in the direction of Oswald, in the second scene of the second act of King Lear:

    -Thou whoreson zed ! Thou unnecessary letter ! My Lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread that unbridled villain into mortar and daub the wall of the jakes with him.

    The talking heads of RTE in Dublin 4 and their groupthinking guests from the media draw upon a foreshortened alphabet, even as they set about graffitting with ill-intent the walls and the stalls of their Gender Neutral Jills.

    ADAM AND EVE’S

    Uneasy lie each and every talking head
    Who balk to walk to the whoreson zed
    Instead they bay
    For the head of A
    Worse nor a headless Rhode Island Red !

    Mary Lou McDonald found herself between the Divil and the Deep Blue Shirt yesterday when Claire Byrne of RTE (for she was the hostess!) and an interchangeable hack of the Irish Dependent on the Byrning Topic of Today and Everyday, going forward:

    -When oh when will Gerry meander into the Great Out Yonder ?

    Alas, it was the D and the DBS who got McDaubed on the walls of the West Brit Washroom , goodo and then some by an unflappable Mary Lou McD. Having first taken the efflortless trouble of McWiping the studio floor with both.

    Which in itself is scarcely newsworthy, being altogether on the Portumna side of Predictable.

    What does merit a mench however, was the silence of another West Brit guest in the studio, Regina D of Royal Meath, the blue bloused one aka, the Shrillie Ghillie of Enda the Anglicised Angler, aka , Lady Lasheroo, the Chief Whip.

    When, oh, when, is the last time s for silence and R for Regina ever stood in the same Dahl constituency ?

    How then, to unravel this mystery ? Perhaps, the spelling of the m-word as ms. tery might be the way to go, bro.

    The Dublin 4 Yunes have almost shed their Y-fronts and the bicycle shed of RTE is now dominated by bikes which lack the horizontal bar which joins the handlebars and the seat.

    The fair sex aka the ladies have hereabouts incrementally taken over from the shady sex. And not only in the sports departments but also – now that Politics have become fashionable since the rise of the Dworkin Class in the Land of Aunt Samantha – in political progs. For the next foreseeable number of years in anyways.

    In RTE think: Dame Dosh Finucane, Mimsy Call-Again, Yawnya Lawlor and a burgeoning soprano chorus waiting sans patience in the wings.

    What chance would a mere man have when faced with a Grilling by these Girls?

    To conclude: if the Shinners want to be Winners, then the Break Through will be made by Mary Lou.

    Anois, car fagadh mo mhala siopadoireachta Lidl? / Now, where did one leave one’s shopping bag?

    Lidlye, diddley, aye, dough , it’s off to the shopping mall we males all must now go.

  6. Gearóid September 25, 2016 at 3:34 pm #

    Isn’t it interesting that all those who call for Adams’s removal are political opponents???? Why on earth would they be worried about Sinn Féin under Adams’s leadership??????

  7. Antaine de Brún September 25, 2016 at 4:12 pm #

    Some elements in the media will continue to attack the leadership of Mr Adams and Mr Corbyn. Today, critics are struggling with the reality that both individuals have significant mandates. Let the media concentrate on personalities with dubious dancing abilities, mandates are based on policies, policies on poverty, health, housing, employment and equality.

    While the media puts the spotlight on the most recent divorce settlement, transnational corporations continue the assault on European societies with attempts to
    reduce the regulatory barriers to trade for big business, environmental legislation, banking regulations, working terms and conditions.

    While the media puts the spotlight on personalities, The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, continues with efforts to undermine democratic structures, through mechanisms such as Investor-State Dispute Settlements which allow companies to sue governments if those governments’ policies cause a loss of profits. In effect it means unelected transnational corporations can dictate the policies of democratically elected governments. Commercial debt (NAMA) remains a burden for taxpayers.

    Taxpayers have had enough of vulture funds, fixers and offshore accounts and will continue to provide political parties with mandates in order to protect, consolidate and develop democratic, economic, political and social institutions. Some parties do listen, for others, the political landscape is littered with failed parties and politicians, who paid the ultimate price for failing to respect a political mandate.

  8. Sherdy September 25, 2016 at 5:18 pm #

    Surely the simplest solution would be to put a personal call in to DOB for his detailed advice, as his Indo hacks queue up every day to hector/lecture Sinn Fein on matters of policy and how they could improve their political performance.
    And of course we know that they have the best interests of the Sinn Fein leadership welfare at heart!

  9. michael c September 25, 2016 at 5:51 pm #

    Both the Donaldson family and the Gardai have dismissed the Spotlight allegations.One Garda described them as “total crap” which nobody believes “north or south”.

  10. sarahcarabine September 25, 2016 at 8:11 pm #

    It would never never be the same without Gerry Adams,he was at the forefront from day1,but i know someday Gerry has to retire,but no matter who would take his place,it in my opinion would be a failure. We have become dependent on Gerry because we grew with him, he is a powerful politicion ,he is very articulate, knows his ABCDs,just like his partner Martin.

  11. Paul Adams September 25, 2016 at 8:23 pm #

    And somewhere, the family of Jean McConville sit abandoned by a cynical campaign that dried to dust and blew away in an interrogation room in Antrim, a couple of years ago. Then there’s Catherine McCartney who had the intelligence to realise that she and her family were being played by the media and both establishments and brilliantly attacks Senator Delusion and her entourage of west Brits and dissidents.

    But getting back to those days in Antrim. Gerry walked out of that back gate with cleans hands and the slow learners finally caught on to what the game was all about. Be they in London Dublin or Belfast, the media has totally lost contact with reality and in this case, the reality is that Gerry walked from (in the public’s eyes) the spotlight in to the daylight. I see a man who should be tired and beaten by all that has happened to him but I honestly believe that the man was invigorated by that event.

    My brother was in the Kesh with him and I’ve relatives who were in the movement and also a family friend and 1 in-law who was in SF, who knew or know Gerry and I’ve some shocking news: Gerry Adams is what you see.

    As for Marty? Don’t start me about Marty, you wouldn’t like me when you start me about Marty. That man is a total sell out. I could sense Caral NiChuillin biting her lip on Talkback when the ghost of Marty stopped her calling Nelson McCausland sectarian, re. his housing policy in north Belfast and I could see Marty’s thumb on Gerry Kelly’s head when he spoke about the Ardoyne agreement, something I strongly disagree with.

    • Gearoíd September 26, 2016 at 8:30 pm #

      Very very interesting indeed, good contribution.

  12. Ryan September 26, 2016 at 12:05 am #

    Gerry Adams may or may not step down as party leader but he’s not getting any younger, he’ll be 68 in less than 2 weeks. But if he does step down as party leader soon, will he still be an active TD? I think he’ll have immense influence in the party still whether he is party leader or not.

    Personally, I’d rather Gerry Adams stayed on for more years. I think someone with his status is a big asset. Most people think Martin McGuinness is more clever than Gerry but I don’t agree, Gerry’s been pulling the strings for all these years in Sinn Fein, not Martin. Even the British when they first had talks with Gerry Adams as young man in the 1970’s said in files that they were very impressed with him. They said they were expecting a “streetwise, arrogant teenager” to enter the talks but instead found someone “articulate, intelligent and skilful”. They made a note of saying whatever Gerry Adams did with his life that he was going to do “very well in whatever profession he choose”. The notes of the talks show Gerry Adams saying he wants to go University, the British representative replies: “No ones stopping you going to University but you must reject violence”. I cant remember Gerry Adams exact reply but he laughed and said something like: “I want to get you British out of my country first”. That’s when the meeting ended but further talks were planned.

    I use to support Mary Lou McDonald becoming the next Sinn Fein leader when Gerry does eventually stand down. I still think she will be the next leader but I don’t like many of her policies. She’s a very good and formidable speaker. You can see the appeal she would have with female voters. I will always remember the time when Mary Lou was in the BBC NI studio representing Sinn Fein debating the Westminster Election Live results in 2015. There was also SDLP, DUP and UUP representatives there. But you could see the annoyed unease on Arlene Fosters face (she was representing DUP, of course) every time Mary Lou was speaking with her strong southern accent. Me and many others on twitter were laughing about it while it was going on live, you could almost read Arlene and her UUP colleagues mind every time Mary Lou spoke: “How dare this southerner poke her nose into our affairs” lol.

    But I now support Pearse Doherty to replace Gerry Adams when the time comes, though I know the odds are it will be Mary Lou. Pearse is very impressive, I’ve lost count how many times I’ve seen Pearse make fools out of journalists and hammer representatives from Fianna Fail/Fine Gael in arguments. He’s very well spoken and I think he’ll make a great leader of Sinn Fein, he’s definitely Taoiseach potential.

    • Nuacht September 26, 2016 at 1:36 pm #

      Ryan, I agree with you that Pearse Docherty would be the best choice for next SF leader. Both Pearse and Mary Lou are obviously very good candidates but origin of SF members and especially the leader is also very important to the public.

      You alluded to the DUP unease with Mary Lou during the Westminster election debate. It’s not surprising that they would have such feelings for a SF member from Dublin but I wonder if they would have been a bit less uncomfortable if Pearse had been in that debate instead of Mary Lou. Apart from their hostility to anybody from SF they would after all still be debating with somebody from the province, a good intelligent Ulster man with no baggage.

      We often hear FG, FF and Labour supporters sniping about Northerners when GA or MMG are mentioned but they don’t seem to label Pearse as a Northerner. Likewise, the Unionists might be less inclined to label a good Ulster man like Pearse as a Southerner.
      Pearse is a very good debater, has obviously got a good grasp of economics (certainly enough to make Michael Noonan look foolish) and has a good public image. Mary Lou might have more appeal for the female vote but I was surprised to hear my mother-in-law say how much she liked that good looking guy Pearse Docherty, especially as she is a long time FF supporter.

      It would therefore seem to me that Pearse could be the more acceptable face to SF supporters and opposition, north and south.

  13. RJC September 26, 2016 at 7:42 pm #

    Hilary Clinton is 68 and Donald Trump is 70 – I’ll wager Gerry Adams has quite a few years left in him yet. I’d like to see greater link up between Sinn Féin north and south – Mary Lou in the BBC studio with the festering Foster was indeed a comical sight to behold. There are a lot of bright young things coming up through the ranks of SF, and I could see somebody like Sarah Holland working well at successfully linking things up between north and south.

    FG & FF only ever allude to the north when it suits them, such as when attempting to throw mud at SF but they have such little understanding of this part of Ireland it’s embarrassing. That may or may not change when/if FF decide to get into the ring up here; time will tell. In the meantime, all the DUP/UUP misfits can do is put their fingers in their ears, close their eyes, go ‘no no no’ and pretend that it’s still 1690. Things are only going one way, a chairde.