Mary lou’s pledge on poll slump
»»sinn Fein chief will claw back support »»she insists vital change within reach
sinn Fein leader Mary Lou Mcdonald vowed to “re-energise” her party’s message following a slump in polling numbers.
She said it had been four years since the party won a historic 37 seats in the last General Election and that was “a long time to sustain a narrative of change”.
The Dublin Central TD insisted a Sinn Fein motion proposing a TV licence amnesty for those who had not paid the €160 fee was not done in response to a slide in the polls.
Polls published in recent weeks have indicated support fell from 36% in 2022 to around 28-29%.
Ms Mcdonald said: “I’m never happy when we have a dip in our polling numbers.
“Whatever support we have lost, we have to work hard and go back and win it back again.
“It’s about engaging and listening to people. We’re coming to a point now where there will be an electoral contest in the summer.
“Remember, it’s now about four years since anybody went to the polls, it’s a long time to sustain a narrative of change and energy behind that.
“We have to get out and convince people the change they knew was absolutely within their grasp, and was absolutely necessary and positive in 2020, that that option is still there.
“You earn your stripes, you earn your support, it’s not accidental.”
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein is to campaign for a Yes vote in both referenda, despite having concerns about the wording on care.
Ms Mcdonald said the care amendment was “an opportunity missed” and accused the Government of having an “abysmal track record” on families and carers.
She added if the care amendment was rejected, her “ambition” would be to put the Citizens’ Assembly’s suggested wording to the public “early” in to a Sinn Fein government.
Ms Mcdonald said: “The Government in their haste failed to consult properly to actually adopt the work that had been done by the Citizens’ Assembly.
“We decided not to allow the perfect be the enemy of the good.
“We’re campaigning for a Yes Yes, but we’re also recognising people are going to have to think about this carefully. I have spoken to many carers who believe this should be grasped as a positive if imperfect step forward.
“But I have spoken to others who are angered at the Government’s track record on these matters and see this as little more than lip service.”
Two referendums will be held on March 8 – International Women’s Day – proposing to change the Irish constitution. One, the family amendment, proposes amending
Article 41 to extend the meaning of family beyond one defined by marriage and include those based on “durable” relationships.
The second, the care amendment, proposes deleting Article 41.2.1 and 41.2.2, which make reference to a woman’s roles and duties in the home, and replace it with article 42B that acknowledges family carers.
The Government parties, Labour, the Social Democrats, the National Women’s Council, One Family and Treoir are all advocating for a Yes vote in both referenda. Aontu and Senator Ronan Mullen are backing a No vote.
Whatever support we lost we have to win back again MARY LOU MCDONALD YESTERDAY