McDonald will walk a tightrope between reassurance and change
Sinn Féin’s new leader must extend party’s appeal without alienating its old guard
Mary Lou McDonald has been confirmed as the sole nominee for the position of Sinn Féin president.
Mary Lou McDonald has same task that all new political leaders face: how to reassure the ancien regime while emphasising the change that has taken place.
In McDonald’s and Sinn Féin’s case the need for reassurance is especially acute. The party has been led by the same man since 1983 – a tenure of almost Cuban proportions. In that time Fianna Fáil has had five leaders; Fine Gael has had six. For Sinn Féin members, not having Gerry Adams as leader is going to take some getting used to.