Gerry Adams announced that he will be standing down as leader of Sinn Fein next year. This news is not wholly unexpected. Adams has put his political heart and soul into the party and is instantly recognisable across Ireland and across the world for his leadership of Sinn Fein from a party of dubious connections to one of peacemakers and government. What is clearly apparent though is that his past may play well with the party but it certainly does not play well with mainstream Irish politics. Sinn Fein have grown electorally to one of the strongest electoral forces on the island - yet they are still excluded from government in the Republic of Ireland by both main parties. This is to do with their past and with Gerry Adams role in that past.
By moving beyond Adams the party can stretch into a post Troubles world potentially and really make itself a mainstream all Ireland party with all that may entail. Certainly Mary Lou Macdonald must stand as the obvious choice for leader. She is from a southern background, is a warmer and charismatic figure and plays well with the electorate in the south. It would make for an all female double North and South of the border too. What's more she is certainly not as tainted with the past as Mr Adams may have been.
By moving beyond Adams the party can stretch into a post Troubles world potentially and really make itself a mainstream all Ireland party with all that may entail. Certainly Mary Lou Macdonald must stand as the obvious choice for leader. She is from a southern background, is a warmer and charismatic figure and plays well with the electorate in the south. It would make for an all female double North and South of the border too. What's more she is certainly not as tainted with the past as Mr Adams may have been.
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