Adams’ long goodbye
THE SINN FEIN PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES HIS LONG TERM PLANS
LOUTH Sinn Fein TD Gerry Adams commenced the countdown to a long goodbye to his constituents at his party’s annual ard fheis last Saturday night.
The Deputy announced that he would step down as Party President after 34 years at the helm during 2018 and that he would not stand as a candidate at the next General Election.
He spoke of his desire to hand over the mantle to others in the party, explaining that last year, he and the late Martin McGuinness had agreed an exit plan before Mr McGuinness died in March.
Speaking to outline his plans, he said: ‘I have always seen myself as a team player and a team builder,’ he said.
‘I have complete confidence in the leaders we elected this weekend and in the next generation of leaders.’
Speculation will now centre on who the party will nominate to replace him as their north Louth candidate.
Louth TD Gerry Adams commenced his long goodbye to his constituents at his party Ard Fheis on Saturday night, stating that he will not contest the next General Election.
The Sinn Fein Party President also stated that he wished to step down after 34 years at the helm of his party.
His long awaited speech confirmed his plans to retire from the national political stage, and not to stand for election again in Louth.
He spoke of his desire to hand over the mantle to others in the party, explaining that last year, he and the late Martin McGuinness had agreed an exit plan before Mr McGuinness died in March.
Michelle O’Neill replaced Mr McGuinness as leader in the North and it is widely expected Mary Lou McDonald will replace Mr Adams as party president.
Speaking to outline his plans, he said: ‘I have always seen myself as a team player and a team builder,’ he said.
‘I have complete confidence in the leaders we elected this weekend and in the next generation of leaders.’
He added: ‘I want to thank everyone who has welcomed me into their homes and communities, and who have made me part of countless campaigns, countless elections and countless negotiations.’
He spoke about the major issue that have arisen during his time as a TD for Louth.
‘Brexit is the single greatest threat to the Irish people in generations. That is why Sinn Féin opposed it in the referendum and why we have consistently called for special status for the North within the EU.
‘ The government has only recently wakened up to the reality that Brexit on British government terms is not acceptable. It will be disastrous for Irish business and farming in every part of this island.
Mr Adams has gone before the Ard Fheis to seek re-election every year since 1983 and that formality was repeated on Saturday night.
In his speech, he told delegates it would be the last time he would put himself forward for the role.
Amid rapturous applause and a standing ovation, Mr Adams told delegates that a referendum on Irish unity must take place within the next five years. ‘We are going to continue to go forward.’
The ard comhairle is ewxpected to meet within the next two weeks to decide a date for the special Ard Fheis and the process for his replacement.
Mr Adams was elected as a TD for Louth in the 2011 general election, when he topped the polls in his first time running for a seat in the Dáil.
‘I have been enormously privileged to be part of an amazing and evolving collective leadership,’
‘It has included in times past, in hard oppressive times, and in different phases, at national level,’ said the Louth TD.
Surrounded by the party’s leadership, he thanked his wife Colette, son Gearoid, and wider family. Locally speculation will now centre on who the party will select to replace him as a candidate in the next General Election with Sinn Fein’s north Louth councillors, Tomás Sharkey, Ruairí Ó Murchú, Anne Campbell, Edel Corrigan and Antóin Watters the obvious starting point.
I HAVE BEEN ENORMOUSLY PRIVILEGED TO BE PART OF AN AMAZING AND EVOLVING COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP