Fionnan Sheahan: As Sinn Fein looks towards looming election, Mary Lou McDonald faces perennial puzzle of picking pretenders
Briefly

Pearse Doherty argued that the resistors of change are those who want to maintain the status quo, but evidence suggests that disenchanted voters desire a viable alternative not provided by Sinn Féin.
Mary Lou McDonald acknowledged that Sinn Féin hasn't robustly challenged the Government on critical issues like immigration and asylum, leading to a disconnect with communities.
Sinn Féin's decline in support from polling in the mid-30s to the high teens illustrates a significant loss of confidence among voters in recent local elections.
The party's voter turnout dropping to 12% in local elections indicates a troubling trend for Sinn Féin, signaling an urgent need to rekindle connections with the electorate.
Read at Independent
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