The influence of some Sinn Féin family members in the management of the organisation in Derry has been cited as one of the reasons for a major restructuring of the party leadership in the city.
In an unprecedented move that sent shock waves through political circles, the party has ordered some of its longest serving and most senior members to step aside.
Sinn Féin confirmed yesterday that an “electoral strategy group” has been established in Derry to prepare for a possible assembly election next year. The move follows an extensive review of two disastrous elections. A Sinn Féin spokesman said the local party had accepted the establishment of the strategy group.
The review was ordered after Sinn Féin MP, Elisha McCallion lost her Westminster seat to SDLP leader Colum Eastwood in a 17,000-vote landslide. Earlier in 2019, the party lost five of its 16 seats on Derry and Strabane council, relinquishing its position as largest party on the authority.
Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy not denying reports that the party’s two Foyle MLAs have been asked to reconsider their positions, as it seeks to rebuild in the city after its poor election performance in 2019 but he tells @bbcgmu he has “no sense” of how it will play out internally
— Jayne McCormack (@BBCJayneMcC) April 29, 2021
A party source said: “The leadership were questioning the virtual collapse of Sinn Féin in Derry at a time when the party was making inroads in every other part of Ireland.”
Ms McCallion’s resignation from Seanad Éireann after having to return a Stormont coronavirus grant of £10,000 for which she was ineligible was a further blow to Sinn Féin fortunes in the area, the source said.
Senior members of the party, including assembly member Gerry Kelly, travelled to Derry last Friday and held meetings with the local organisation over the weekend.
Another Sinn Féin source said republicans have been unhappy with the way the party was run in the city for many years.
“There was a removal from the grass roots. Members and supporters were turning away from the party for years because they didn’t like the way some family members had influence over the party and the way some people in the party were building power bases. There was a disconnect.
“Everyone could see this day coming; it was about bad management, bad decision-making and dissatisfaction,” the source said.
The same insider said the party faced a “mammoth task” to rebuild.
“Approaches have been made to a number of people to get involved, good people, but they’re just not interested. That’s the big challenge for the future, getting the right people on board to get back to where we were.”
News of the overhaul was welcomed by some republicans in Derry.
Stephanie English, whose two brothers - Gary (19) and Charles (21) were killed in the troubles and whose father-in-law, Paddy Doherty was shot dead on Bloody Sunday – said the party leadership listened to local members and acted.
In a Facebook post, Ms English said: “I know as republicans we are not used to speaking outside our circle, but if we are to rebuild we need to be transparent and speak up. Things won’t change if we sit on the fence with our lips sealed on this issue. Breaking the silence is my contribution to help repair the damage to the republican community in Derry.”
