SINN Féin president Gerry Adams has announced that he will be standing for re-election as leader of the republican party he has led for over three decades.
The 68-year-old made the announcement at Sinn Féin's one day conference in Dublin on Tuesday morning in what the party had teased as a 'significant address'.
It comes as MPs return to Westminster for the resumption of the British parliament following its summers recess, which began on June 20.
Mr Adams took the opportunity to take aim at Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, who he said stands for the "elites" of Irish society.
"The real message behind Taoiseach Varadkar's 'republic of opportunity' is really grand for those who have opportunities, but if you're struggling, homeless, sick, poor, have a disability or are underpaid then Leo is very clear.
"Don't look to the government for answers or solutions, you're on your own."
Mr Adams also took aim at Theresa May and the Democratic Unionist Party, who he accused of "refusing" to allow a new executive to form in Stormont.
He added: "In the North both the DUP and the British Government refuse to agree that the executive and the assembly be restored on the basis of equality, respect and integrity for all.
"They also disrespect and ignore the vote of the people of the North in the Brexit vote, insisting on dragging Northern Ireland out of the EU against the wishes of its people."
Belfast native Adams said he would be standing "once again" as president of the party he has led since 1983 but would announce plans regarding succession shortly.
He said Sinn Fein would campaign "passionately and energetically" to repeal the abortion-restricting Eighth Amendment in Ireland and would lay out plans for the future of the party in November.
"If elected I will be setting out our planned process of generational change including my own future as president," he said.
He added that his party is in its strongest position "since the 1917 election" and that it will continue to challenge the DUP and the British government on the rights of the Irish people post-Brexit.
