Sinn Féin, a popular political party in Ireland, has been openly engaging with corporate entities in a bid to reassure them about the implications of the party potentially forming the next government. This was made evident when the party’s deputy leader, Pearse Doherty, journeyed to London to confer with investors. A representative from Davy Stockbrokers organised the event.
Held at a hotel in the heart of London, a spokesman for Davy Stockbrokers revealed that the meeting housed about 50 UK institutional investors and asset managers who were keen on understanding Sinn Féin’s policies on business and investment in Ireland. Their main point of interaction was primarily Doherty himself.
Long gone are the days when an interaction of this type would have invoked surprise. The party’s leadership has been active in building rapport with industry magnates, exemplified by leader Mary Lou McDonald’s visit to Sillicon Valley to address Ibec, and consistent meetings with various business leaders.
At the meeting, Doherty asserted, “We’re accustomed to distinct political parties utilising scare tactics. Sinn Féin fosters pro-business values.” This move towards mainstream politics has always been a high-stakes transition for Sinn Féin. It has gained significant traction amongst its younger voter base because of its unbiased scrutiny of mainstream practices. These practices, they believe, are responsible for a plethora of economic and social challenges presently confronting them, such as housing and healthcare management.
Despite the risk of losing touch with its underlying voter base and a sequence of not so favourable poll results, Sinn Féin appears committed to this path as elections approach.