Bree will not run for Labour while Rabbitte is leader

by Rabbitte hunter Mon Nov 14, 2005 09:35

The Labour Party convention to select candidates for the Sligo-North Leitrim constituency in the next general election took place last night! Any results yet???

Three candidates were seeking thenomination to run - they are Sligo Councillors Jim McGarry and Veronica Cawley, as well as North Leitrim party representative, Gabriel McSharry.

by Martin Mon Nov 14, 2005 10:06

It's worth noting that Cllr. jim McGarry was involved in extensive negotiations with the PDs before the 2002 general election, but withdrew at the last minute. Seemingly Mary Harney could not offer him the promise of a senate nomination if he was unsuccesful in the election!

Here is some interesting election results from the 2004 locals, of the 3 candidates nominated for the Sligo-North Leitrim Labour Party convention .... (elections.org) e

Cllr. Veronica Cawley
2004 Sligo Borough Council 516 votes 18% 0.92 of quota
2004 Sligo County Council 813 votes 10% 0.74 of quota

Cllr. Jim McGarry
2004 Sligo Borough Council 541 votes 17% 0.86 of quota
2004 Sligo County Council 813 votes 9% 0.76 of quota

Gabriel McSharry
2004 Leitrim County Council 387 votes 10% 0.61 of quote
(unelected)


Cllr. Declan Bree (withdrew nomination!)
2004 Sligo Borough Council 547 votes 19% 0.93 of quota
2004 Sligo County Council 1,147 votes 13% 1.08 of quota


Declan Bree has run in 9 General Elections since 1977. None of the other candidates have run in a general election.
Both Cawley and McSharry had their election debut in 1999, Jim McGarry in 1991 and Declan Bree was first elected in 1974.

All candidates are in their 40s and 50s....

by Labour Watcher Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:40

Labour election candidate for Sligo/North Leitrim Cllr Jim McGarry is vowing to do the best he can for the party in the next Election.

Councillor McGarry was last night nominated to represent the party at the next General Election for the new re-aligned Dail constituency of Sligo/ North Leitrim.

Councillor McGarry won a majority of 52 seats out of 124 valid votes cast at the Labour party convention in Sligo town..

He defeated Sligo town councillor Veronica Cawley by ten votes.

North Leitrim Labour party spokesperson Gabriel McSharry was eliminated on the first count of votes.

Cllr McGarry admitted the campaign was tough over the past number of weeks but is delighted with the outcome.

by Kat Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:56

This is definitly a new low for the party, with the nomination of a candidate of like of Cllr. Jim McGarry! This is the same guy who wanted to join the PDs before the last general election.

by Dermot Lacey Mon Nov 14, 2005 13:57

Congratulations to Jim and Commiserations to excellent candidates Veronica and Gabriel. Wishing all of you the best for the future.

by pat c Mon Nov 14, 2005 14:01

I'm not an indiscriminate Labour basher but no Socialist should welcome the nomination of a rightwinger and Traveller hater like McGarry. If Declan Bree runs as an Independent Socialist then I hope he outpolls McGarry.

by X member! Mon Nov 14, 2005 16:20

Its interesting to note that Councillor Jim Lacey was the first out of the blocks to congratulate former Fine Gaeler Jim McGarry on his success.Both have a similar track record in NOT supporting Labour Party policy on issues like domestic refuse charges and allowing the waste collection services to be privatised.
And not forgetting that Mr.Lacey was also took an active part in the Head Office charade that saw a trumped up charge against Declan Bree for SUPPORTING Party policy on Travellers turned into an excuse to damage Declans chances at a convention.You must be very pleased with yourself Jim,another socialist eradicated and a Blueshirt to replace him...........the deal with Enda is going to plan!

by BarryW Mon Nov 14, 2005 16:30

This is the same Cllr McGarry that voted year after year to impose bin charges in Sligo while Labour members were campaigning against the charges. the same Cllr McGarry that supported and voted for the privatisation of the Refuse Service. Who consistently opposed the liberal agenda relating to divorce, homosexuality, abortion, even opposing the abortion information amendment. He also was opposed to the Government holding a referendum to insert an article on non-alignment and neutrality in the Constitution. Cllr McGarry supports the U.S. using Shannon - even while Labour members were marching against the war - McGarry voted against a motion calling on the Government to halt US warplanes using Shannon brought before Sligo Borough Council! Three years ago Cllr. McGarry crossed a union picket in Sligo Town!

by Dermot Lacey Mon Nov 14, 2005 20:21

One get my name right its Dermot Lacey.
Two I oppose the Privatisation of the Waste Collection service and contrary to the ill informed poster have never voted for Privatisation.
Three I suspect I know Labour Party policy better than you do and in relation to my vote on the issue as Lord Mayor I remain convinced the stand I took was the right one.
Four as a Staff member of the Labour Party I facilitated all members, in so far as I am authorised to do, on the matters referred to above and have no reason to believe that Cllr Bree believes otherwise.

by Rob Mon Nov 14, 2005 22:40

Cllr. Lacey if your so proud of Jim McGarry why is there no mention of the convention or Cllr. McGarrys nomination on the Labour Party website???

by X member! Tue Nov 15, 2005 01:56

Dermot, since when have you ever put Labour Party Policy ahead of your own personal agenda.The dogs on the streets know that you voted to save your own job and did what any magpie would do....go for the shiney chain.
You never explained how you escaped the fate of your labour collegue Declan Bree??He was hauled up for SUPPORTING Party policy and you escaped for turning your back on your fellow councillors,disobeying party instructions and voting FOR more bin charges.One rule for you Dermot and another rule for the socialists in Labour Party.Is it any wonder Labour Youth at their recent Conference in Galway voted AGAINST pre election deals with the Blueshirts.The likes of you and your Leader,Kim il Rabbitte are selling the Labour Party down the banks and will stop at nothing(which includes silencing internal debate) to satisfy personal goals over Party policy......Shame on you!

by Dermot Lacey Tue Nov 15, 2005 12:49

Xmember you have so many of your facts wrong that i am sure it is deliberate so I have no intention of dignifying your ignorance with a written reply. However anytime you want to meet me and debate the issues face to face just give me a call.

by X member! Tue Nov 15, 2005 13:09

Would that be at Ely Place or maybe at you new office at 51 Uppr.Mount street??

by Sharon Tue Nov 15, 2005 13:15

"....and in relation to my vote on the issue as Lord Mayor I remain convinced the stand I took was the right one. "

"Right" for whom ?
In a society with less political corruption , Mr Lacey , you would be correctly viewed as a disgrace and a charlatan .
But in this State , you fit "right" in .

Sharon .

by Dermot Lacey Tue Nov 15, 2005 13:51

Sharon,

Verging on the libellous there. If you say that in the public press I will take action. I have never and will never act corruptly in my life. I take political decisions and stand by them. If you don't like them that is fine but don't dare question my honesty or integrity.

My vote as Lord Mayor ensured:
1) that the elected Council would not be abolished.
2) that an unelected Commissioner would not be appointed to run this City.
3) that the Waste Charge would be lower than that either wanted by the Manager or that which would have been imposed by the Commissioner.
4) that the Waiver scheme was preserved.
5) that the cause of privatising the Waste Collection service in Dublin City was not advanced.
I was particularly greatful for the support offered by many Union leaders for my actions.

Of course I don't doubt that the smart arsed cowards who post under false names on Indymedia will have their own spin on this and quite frankly I don't care about them. I do however care about my integrity and the people of the wider Dublin South East Community and the people of Dublin who I try to represent in an honest and diligent manner and who have shown their trust in me during my time as mayor and subsequently locally at the Local Elections.

by ABTA Tue Nov 15, 2005 14:54

"My vote as Lord Mayor ensured:
1) that the elected Council would not be abolished."

You would have furthered the cause of democracy if you had called FF/PD bluff

"2) that an unelected Commissioner would not be appointed to run this City."

To all intensive purpose he does.

"3) that the Waste Charge would be lower than that either wanted by the Manager or that which would have been imposed by the Commissioner."

It's going up, will continue to go up and will be brought in line with the Manager's wishes before long.

"4) that the Waiver scheme was preserved."

We'll see for how much longer. You also know that if the waiver scheme had been abolished the campaign would have won easily.

"5) that the cause of privatising the Waste Collection service in Dublin City was not advanced. I was particularly greatful for the support offered by many Union leaders for my actions."

Turkeys voting for christmas. As has been shown the lenght and breadth of country you have opended the collection up for privatisation. The union members are more than aware of this. Union leaders are not AGAINST privatisation.

by Sharon. Tue Nov 15, 2005 15:39

"Sharon,

Verging on the libellous there. If you say that in the public press I will take action. I have never and will never act corruptly in my life. I take political decisions and stand by them. If you don't like them that is fine but don't dare question my honesty or integrity."

Yes - the truth hurts , Dermot . I stand by my original remarks re your conduct , and that of those like you . 'Politically devious conduct' would be an understatement . Your true issue , Sir , is with your conscience , not with anything I have posted here .

Sharon.

by X member! Tue Nov 15, 2005 16:06

And dont forget Sharon that Dermot now works FULL TIME in the Labour Party Press Office..........so a further insight into how Labour rewards "high standards in public office"...........!!
But to be fair,while the rest of the press corp. at Ely Place are playing solataire and pinball on their computers,at least our Dermot knows how to use the iinternet.How else would we get to engage with a man of such "political integrity".......

by Dermot Lacey Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:27

Just a correction I have never ever worked in the Labour Press Office and Yes whether you or Sharon agree is immaterial I value my integrity. I take political stands and then seek judgement of the electorate. I am glad that the voters of my home area and my electoral ward trust me and I know from the volume of correspondence I received at the time of my using the Casting Vote that an awful lot of people accpet that what i did i did for the right reasons

by Iskra - LP Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:29

I disagree with Dermot on his stance regarding the Bin Tax campaign, Bree and Coalition but in the final analysis he stood before his constituents and was re-elected. How many votes did the SP, SWP etc get in Dermots Ward?

by Dermot lacey Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:40

Thanks for the last comment but just one correction. I have never posted or publicised any opinion on the Declan Bree issue other than the fact that I have worked positively with Declan in the past. As a staff member I facilitated all sides on the complaint that was made and hopefully did so with integrity and respect to all parties involved.

by Iskra Wed Nov 16, 2005 11:43

You welcomed McGarrys nomination so I presumed (perhaps wrongly) that you had taken sides.

by Dermot Lacey Wed Nov 16, 2005 13:59

Declan did not seek the nomination and I was simply wishing a selected candidate well.

by Indy fan Wed Nov 16, 2005 14:07

Don't Labour have their own weblist or anything for the both of you to preen at each other.

by Whiskra Wed Nov 16, 2005 15:04

Glad to see "Iskra" make clear that he has more in common with Dermot Lacey than with the socialist left outside the Labour Party. I'm afraid we won't be rushing to negotiate an electoral pact with you in a hurry my friend.

Anyone who didn't speak out against the persecution of Declan Bree was complicit, it's as simple as that.

by Iskra Wed Nov 16, 2005 15:46

I was merely pointing out that Dermot was re-elected by his constituents. Thats known as Democracy. I realise it may be an alien concept to you. Maybe you can tell me how many votes the SP, SWP, ISN etc got in Dermots Ward?

by Curious Wed Nov 16, 2005 15:59

Is that Pembroke we are talking about - that hotbed of socialist activism?

by Iskra Wed Nov 16, 2005 16:01

Also includes Working Class Estates. Another area which is alien to many in the far left.

by Quizmaster Wed Nov 16, 2005 16:07

Two different answers:
"Fuck Fatima Mansions".
Or Ballymun won't get you elected?

Wonder what party they were in?

by Iskra Wed Nov 16, 2005 16:18

Who said it? Labour and Sinn FeinCouncillors represent both of those areas. Maybe I missed something but I didnt notice any SP, SWP or ISN councillors being elected to Dublin City Council.

by Genuinely curious Wed Nov 16, 2005 16:20

Out of curiousity

by Dermot Lacey Wed Nov 16, 2005 16:40

Curious. I am proud to represent the area that I grew up in and in which I live. If I had grown up in another area that is where I would have sought election.

I am proud that through the enormous contribution of my hard working Working Class parents that my brothers and sisters have all got on in life. As someone who has lived all my life in a Corporation built house I am proud of my record in pushing for more and better quality Social housing in the area

Yes there are wealthy parts of that area and it is not a hot bed of traditional Labour support.

However I believe I have worked hard to build a Labour vote and particularly pleased that my highest vote is in one of the few Local Authority estates in Pembroke.

It is there judgement I seek - not yours.

by Paul - Labour Youth Thu Nov 17, 2005 12:37

This motion was passed at the recent Labour Youth conference.

Conference notes


The fine work carried out by Declan Bree over many years for the Labour movement in Sligo.


Conference notes


That the Labour party complaints commitee recently upheld a complaint made against Declan Bree-that he refused to apolagise for labeling a decision by of other Labour concillors in Sligo to vote against a traveller accomamdtion as disgraceul.

Conference notes


That Declan Bree intends to appeal this decision to the national executive of the party


Conference comends


The continued efforts of Declan Bree in the area of travellers rights.

by X member! Thu Nov 17, 2005 14:31

Tell me this Paul,did Labour Youth endorse the pact with the Blueshirts??

by Chris Bond - Labour youth Thu Nov 17, 2005 19:09 chrbond at gmail dot com

LY conference did not endorse rabbites electoral strategy. A motion in support of it was voted down and an ammendmnet to another motion which deleted a line ''conference supports the leader`s strategy'' was passed. I was very pleased that conference passed a motion to no longer consider the social partnership process.

by james bond - HM Secret Service Thu Nov 17, 2005 19:18

is labour youth going to split from the labour party when you sell out and go into government with a capitalist party? just a thought.

by Allen Thu Nov 17, 2005 20:50

The North Sligo branch of the Labour Party has lodged a formal complaint with the Party's General Secretary against local councillor and newly elected general election candidate, Mr. Jimmy McGarry.

The complaint, which has been lodged under article 14 of the Labour Party Constitution, concerns Clr. McGarry's support for Waste for Collection bye-laws at a meeting of Sligo County Council on October 3rd.

Labour's other two representatives on the Council, Clr. Declan Bree and Clr. Veronica Cawley, joined with Sinn Fein in voting against the adoption of the draft bye-laws.

In a submission on the draft bye-laws to the County Council in August, the Labour Party argued that the new regulations, which come into effect on January 1st next, would lead to major increases in bin charges in Sligo city and county.

"It is our view that Clr. McGarry's decision to side with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael against his Labour colleagues and his decision to vote to impose these new bye-laws can only be considered as injurious to the interests of the Labour Party", said Mr. Daniel Wymbs, Secretary, North Sligo branch, in a letter to the Party's General Secretary.

by Chris Bond - Labour youth Sat Nov 19, 2005 02:29 chrbond at gmail dot com Tallaght, Dublin

First of all that is whats known as a leading question, neither you nor i can predict the future. I am opposed to Fine Gael and everything that they stand for, I dont know whats gonna happen after the next election or who is going to be in power all i can say is that i will canvass for Labour in 2007 and will only transfer to left wing progressive candidates and will call on others to do so aswell. I completely disagree with the leaders strategy not only on tactical grounds, but for reasons of principle and ideology. I also disagree with the leader on a number of issues. Does this Contradict me being in the party? ABSOLUTELY F*CKING NOT. and i say that with my head high. Now if you have any further queries do drop me an email, i dont have much time this week to post on indymedia.

by Chris Bond Sun Nov 20, 2005 22:14

Contrary to popular assumption, i can assure you all that i am NOT the person who is posting under the name'' ISKRA''.

If i wanted to post under a psuedonom i`d think of something far better than Lenin's Newspaper.