A GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE
JIM GIBNEY reads Mary Lou McDonald’s Ard Fheis speech and discusses the new reality that Irish political culture is being radically changed and that Sinn Féin is in the lead of that radicalisation. In my lifetime of activism, I never thought I would see the day that a speech from a Sinn Féin president, the very popular and irrepressible Mary Lou McDonald in this instance, would contain the following words – ‘It is time now for a government for you and your family, that puts workers and families first. Sinn Féin will deliver that government for the people. We want to lead that government for the people. I want to lead as Taoiseach if you give us that chance. And ‘If (in the North) Sinn Féin emerges as the largest party, we will nominate Michelle O’Neill as First Minister’. Wow what a turn of events that would be; Taoiseach Mary Lou and First Minister Michelle. ‘Lead as Taoiseach’ ‘First Minister’ – an unreachable dream, a few short years ago. But now a real possibility that depends on the will of the electorate. And that is a turn of events that for republi-
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We want to lead that government for the people. I want to lead as Taoiseach if you give us that chance MARY LOU McDONALD
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cans, especially of my generation, belongs in the realm of political dreams. The changes that I have seen, from 1994 when the IRA called its ceasefire, have been, on occasions, earth moving – the ceasefire itself; the meeting between Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, John Hume, and Gerry Adams and the famous handshake on the steps of Government Buildings; the ceasefires by loyalists; the release 12
of the political prisoners; the demilitarisation of the SIx Counties and a new police service; Sinn Féin in government in the North with unionists; President Bill Clinton on the Falls Road, shaking hands with Gerry Adams; a high-powered delegation from the African National Congress in Belfast offering their experience to help consolidate peace; Martin McGuinness and Gerry Adams leading a Sinn Féin delegation through the door of 10 Downing Street for the first time; and the spectacular Dáil election breakthrough by Sinn Féin in the February 2020 election when the party took 37 seats. These developments and others represent huge changes for all the people of Ireland and Britain. And they are of particular significance to republican activists and to those who have struggled long and endured much to bring about unity and independence. I would dearly love to add ‘Taoiseach Mary Lou Mc Donald’ and ‘First Minister Michelle O’Neill’ to that list. Such an outcome would be a huge step forward to the goal of a new and independent Ireland. The only obstacle to a united Ireland, the denial of a free vote, and other contrived impediments, including a unionist veto, have been removed as a result of the Good Friday Agreement. Mary Lou’s speech has been crafted and grounded in the new reality that the political culture on this island is being radically changed and that Sinn Féin is in the lead of that radicalisation through its uniting Ireland campaign and its promise to deliver a programme of change which empowers workers and families. Mary Lou’s speech is ambitious and not just for Sinn Féin; it is important because the party, more than any other party, has the dynamism and energy to deliver the change that Irish society needs. However, it is mainly ambitious for the people of Ireland. Ambitious to end the artificial division of Partition which has insidiISSUE NUMBER 4 – 2021 - UIMHIR EISIÚNA 4 anphoblacht
