Sinn Féin is committed to the devolution of tax powers and to introducing what it terms “progressive taxation”.
The pledge is included in the party’s Westminster election manifesto, which was launched in Belfast on Wednesday.
Sinn Féin, which returned seven MPs in the 2019 election, is running 14 candidates across 18 constituencies.
Its Westminster manifesto does not include specific policy pledges but rather broader commitments of intent, reflecting the fact that its MPs abstain from the House of Commons.
The key themes of the document, like its campaign, are ‘strong leadership’ and ‘delivering positive change’, with the party arguing that it has been “central to the incredible transformation that has taken place in the north”.
The party argues for a “stronger and fairer economy that delivers good jobs that pay well”.
“We want to increase productivity and opportunities for skills and training, regional balance in investment and job opportunities, accessible and affordable childcare - including for those with special educational needs - and meet climate change targets through a fair and just transition to net zero,” the manifesto says.
“We are committed to strong legal protections for workers and the right to join a trade union.”
Sinn Féin says it was key in “securing protections that shielded Ireland” from Brexit’s worst impacts and the British government’s “austerity agenda”.
“In direct discussions with the British government, the US, and the European Union we have consistently stood up for the rights of citizens,” the manifesto states.
On constitutional change, the party says the Irish government needs to “prepare for the future in a strategic and responsible fashion”, including establishing a citizen’s assembly to address the “practical and positive possibilities that constitutional change can bring”.
“We need a process that facilitates generous engagement with those from all our communities on this island,” the manifesto says.
Under the heading ‘building a society for all’, the party says it is committed to an “inclusive and diverse society based on equal rights and equal opportunities for all citizens”.
The nine-page dual language manifesto stresses the need to “see an end to the chronic underfunding of our public services and the undervaluing of public service workers”.
Sinn Féin says it was “central” to negotiating the £3.3bn financial package that accompanied the restoration of the institutions and that Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald negotiated an “improved funding arrangement for future budgets”.
The manifesto commits Sinn Féin to “press for the transfer of fiscal powers”, which would include “powers for progressive taxation”.
In February, First Minister Michelle O’Neill ruled out revenue raising.
Economy Minister Conor Murphy said the party’s proposals did not relate to matters like water charges and paid-for prescriptions.
He said as finance minister in the previous executive he had initiated the Fiscal Commission, which had made a raft of recommendations for taxation which could be adopted.
Mr Murphy said what taxes Stormont could introduce was a matter for all the executive parties.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald told the manifesto launch that Sinn Féin was hoping to build its vote further.
“Every election I come to with huge optimism and an abundance of hope, the party has grown exponentially over the next decade or so,” she said.
“This is now a very large national organisation and I am very sure that we are going to perform very strongly in this election.”
