Resignations follow SF conference votes on abortion

Posted by Jim on June 19, 2018

Sinn Fein’s internal difficulties have worsened following a combative

display by the party leadership at a weekend conference saw the party
adopt a hardline pro-abortion stance, including a ban on dissent on the
issue by its elected representatives.

Over the past 48 hours, a number of party members have publicly
resigned from the party, the most high profile of whom to date is
Offaly TD Carol Nolan. Ms Nolan said this afternoon that she feels she
“no longer has a place” in a party which she said “doesn’t recognise or
show genuine respect for the pro-life views of members”.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald described Ms Nolan’s decision to
resign as “disappointing but not surprising.”

At the weekend’s annual Ard Fheis [conference], the party leadership
headed by Ms McDonald and deputy Michelle O’Neill pivoted the party to
a more fiscally conservative and socially liberal agenda. The party has
made clear it hopes the change will make it easier to enter into a
Dublin government, most likely in coalition with Fine Gael.

The conference comes weeks after a bruising referendum campaign in the
26 Counties saw a constitutional ban on abortion lifted by a margin of
2-1. Legislation to introduce abortion on request in the first three
months of pregnancy is being prepared by the Fine Gael-led minority
government, and still faces a tricky passage through the Dublin
parliament.

Sinn Fein’s recent transition to a pro-choice stance has been deeply
polarising. Although it has been at pains to point to large numbers of
new members, including many young women, hundreds of older and more
traditionally-minded members stayed away from the party conference this
year, while others engaged in a protest outside the venue.

Inside, the party leadership drove home the message that dissent could
not be tolerated. There was no surprise, therefore, when Ms Nolan, one
of the party’s most well known pro-life campaigners, confirmed her
resignation his afternoon. She had been suspended from the party
earlier this summer following a disagreement over the 8th amendment
referendum.

Ms Nolan, who won a breakthrough Sinn Fein seat in the Offaly-North
Tipperary constituency in 2016, said she was disappointed that the
party’s delegates voted against the motion to allow members to have a
conscience vote on the issue of abortion.

“I want to thank all of the 24 cumainn who put forward motions on the
need for a conscience vote on the abortion issue,” she said.

“I feel that it is unethical to force TDs who are strongly opposed to
abortion to vote against their conscience. Every TD in Leinster House
is directly responsible for the laws that they enact, if a TD votes for
abortion they are responsible for all abortions that happen in this
state.

“I do not want to have any hand, act or part in bringing about the end
to the life of an unborn child, the most vulnerable in our society.”

Speaking in response, Ms McDonald said she had regretted the
resignation.

“Sinn Fein made every effort to give its members space and latitude to
articulate a position contrary to the party’s position in the recent
referendum campaign on Repeal of the 8th Amendment,” she said.

“The people have spoken on this issue. The Sinn Fein Ard Fheis has
democratically agreed the party’s position to support the forthcoming
leglislation.”