Mary Lou McDonald has urged voters to “hit” Government parties “harder” by supporting Sinn Fein in upcoming by-elections in an address focused on cost-of-living measures.
In her speech to party faithful at the Ard Fheis in Belfast, the Sinn Fein president said the Government needs to introduce an emergency budget after trying to “buy off” fuel protesters.
She also said an Irish unity referendum by 2030 is still possible and she hoped unionist political leaders would see the “chance of real wins”.
Earlier on Saturday, Ms McDonald sought to play down reports of discontent with her leadership, insisting she will lead Sinn Fein into the next general election and stating she has the confidence of party members.
In her keynote address, the Sinn Fein leader referred to fuel protests that brought parts of Ireland to a standstill, saying people gathered “with tractors, trucks and lorries – tools of their livelihoods”.
“Fianna Fail and Fine Gael believed they could buy off workers with half-measures, that they had subdued the ordinary people of Ireland,” she said.
“They were wrong.
“The people stood up, challenged those in power and put them on notice that workers and families can’t take any more.”
She reiterated calls on the Government to introduce an emergency mini-budget “with a substantial cut to excise to make fuel affordable, including the complete removal of carbon tax on home heating oil and green diesel” as well as electricity credits, additional support for social welfare and “immediate relief for taxpayers”.
“The universal social charge (USC), Fianna Fail’s tax, introduced when they crashed the Irish economy, is a constant drag on your wages,” she said.
“We are calling for a permanent cut in this tax for every worker, starting with putting 500 euro back in your pocket.
“This must happen now because people cannot wait.”
Moving to Irish unity, Ms McDonald said a referendum can be achieved by 2030 but “preparation must happen now” as she made a direct appeal to unionist politicians in Northern Ireland.
“We respect and value Protestant, unionist, loyalist people – this is your home and we want to build Ireland’s future with you, to work constructively together,” she said.
“The leadership of unionism must work also for progress.
“Divisive, rejectionist, sectarian politics must be consigned to history, it has no place in our future.
“Casement Park will be built, the diggers are on-site. The A5 will save lives, stopping this road is not acceptable.”
Her harshest critique was reserved for the Government parties, who she said are the “biggest barrier to planning for unity”.
“The days of saying yes to unity, but ‘not now’, must end,” she said.
“They must do what’s right for Ireland – lead, prepare for referendums, engage with people, grasp the opportunity of the united island.
“That is the patriotic thing to do.”
She added: “Make no mistake, we are out to fully end British government rule in Ireland.”
The Sinn Fein president took aim at the Government’s housing policy, describing them as “the parties of boarded-up homes, rip-off rents, sky-high house prices, of chronic homelessness, robbing families of dignity, children of childhood.
“We cannot, we will not allow them to prevail.”
Ms McDonald received one of her strongest responses from the crowd when referring to the war in the Middle East, saying Israel needs to be shown “the red card”.
“No whitewashing, no sports washing, no welcome for the Israeli football team,” she said.
Ms McDonald said: “Micheal Martin, Simon Harris, I challenge you to put your plans to scrap the triple lock to the people. You’ll get your answer. Hands off Irish neutrality.”
In her concluding remarks, she told members: “Fianna Fail and Fine Gael may have survived Sinn Fein’s motion of no confidence, but they do not have the confidence of the Irish people.
“They have lost a minister and a TD, two men down.
“We were strong enough to take them on and we forced the first cracks in this Government, but we need to keep the pressure on because we need to get them out.
“The upcoming by-elections are your chance to hit them harder, to strengthen Sinn Fein’s hand.”
At the conclusion of her speech she joined party members in singing Amhran na bhFiann, the Irish national anthem, which was followed by Do You Hear The People Sing from the musical Les Miserables.
On Saturday morning, flagged by party colleagues from both sides of the border including First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Ms McDonald sought to pour cold water on reports of desire for a change of leader.
Speaking to the media, she said: “We’re in a very, very strong position, so we go out and we fight those elections in that spirit.”
“I’m very proud to lead this party. I’m very proud to enjoy the confidence of my colleagues and the broader membership. So, as you may try to seek a story in that, there isn’t a story there.
“I’m the leader of the party, we are a collective leadership and we are in a very, very good place.
“So, we’ll fight the by-elections and I think they’re going to be fascinating contests, actually, in both constituencies. I think it’ll be a brave person who would predict the outcomes of them.”
Asked directly if she would lead Sinn Fein into the next general election, she said: “Yes.”
The crowd cheered and applauded before Ms McDonald’s keynote address when it was announced that she was re-elected as president.
