Mary Lou McDonald has been announced as Sinn Féin’s new leader.
Deputy McDonald was named Sinn Féin president-elect at the Sinn Féin Cuige Uladh AGM in Belfast, and will be ratified at the party’s Ard Fheis on February 10th.
The deadline for possible contenders to enter the race to lead the party expired yesterday, making the Dublin Central TD the only candidate.
Donegal Sinn Féin members have shown unanimous support for Deputy McDonald in the lead up to this morning’s announcement.
In a video, Inishowen Senator Padraig MacLochlainn says: “We’ve been inspired for many years by Mary Lou’s leadership here in Donegal. She’s been amongst us, she’s supported us, she’s met with community groups most recently when the floods happened in Inishowen she was there amongst the people. Her leadership ability and her warmth was there for everybody to see.”
Members of Sinn Féin from across Donegal have gathered tonight in Letterkenny and unanimously endorsed @MaryLouMcDonald to be the next leader of @sinnfeinireland We all believe that she is the best person to lead us forward in to an exciting new era for our party #shesthe1 pic.twitter.com/xwDEiKJ4qr
— PadraigMacLochlainn (@PadraigMacL) January 18, 2018
Deputy Adams announced his intention to step down in November as part of Sinn Féin’s ten-year plan for the regeneration and renewal of the party. Leading the party for 35 years, he also indicated that a “necessary generational change” had to take place.
Speaking at the event, McDonald says that she is proud and honoured to take the reigns from Adams.
Irish unity is at the top of her agenda, saying that she hopes to see a Sinn Féin government north and south.
“I know I have big shoes to fill taking on the role from Gerry Adams, and I know that is impossible but I have brought my own shoes and together, with all of the party membership, we will walk on a journey that will lead to Irish unity,” she said.
“Uniting this island is the best outcome for all our citizens and it is now our task to convince our unionist friends and neighbours of that and to encourage them to help us build a new Ireland.
“We are entering a new era and we can look forward with confidence. I want to see Sinn Féin in government north and south.
“But it will be government based on equality, government that respects the rights of citizens, that delivers prosperity and opportunity for all and reflects our republican ideals.
“To do that we need to continue to grow and develop, embracing new ideas while remaining true to our vision.
“We are capable of achieving anything we set our minds to and it is now the task, duty and responsibility of all to create and deliver a new Ireland, together, united and strong.”
Adams also addressed the delegates, saying a campaign and strategy for Irish unity must be devised.
“We need to devise strategies and win support for a referendum on Irish unity. And we need to campaign for this. We also need to win that referendum… Don’t believe the naysayers and begrudgers in the Independent Media Group and others of like mind who claim that a United Ireland is a pipe dream.”
He continued: “I want to thank all of those, including many of you in this room, who have worked with me during my 35 years as Uachtarán Shinn Féin.
“I value your friendship, your advice and your activism. I believe we can be very proud of our successes during that time.”
Deputy Adams has been the leader of Sinn Féin since 1983, and has previously served as an MP for west Belfast before turning his attention to Leinster House in 2012, where he currently holds a position as a TD for Louth.
Tags: