Row brews in Labour over Galway West seat

galway | politics / elections | news report Wednesday March 08, 2006 23:11 by MarkK - LP

MICHAEL D HIGGINS’S drawn-out decision on whether to remain in politics has left the Labour Party facing a possible west coast crisis as local councillors rebel against the party. After months of uncertainty, Mr Higgins told Labour's Galway West constituency council meeting on Friday night that he would allow his name to go forward for selection at convention.

Labour HQ has repeatedly made it clear that it believes there is room for only one party candidate in the constituency.

However, local councillor Catherine Connolly last night vowed to stand as well whether or not she has the backing of the party.

"I will be standing in the election. I can't put it any more strongly than that," she said.

"I certainly will stand ... I think there's certainly room for two. I would hope that Labour would see sense. It would make absolute sense to stand a woman candidate in Galway and I would hope that Labour would live up to its commitment to increase female participation."

Ms Connolly also criticised Mr Higgins for dragging his heels, accusing him of being responsible for an "unhelpful" and "unnecessary" vagueness.

"I think the vagueness that has been allowed to enter into this has been totally unhelpful and unnecessary," she said.

"We should be running a very strong campaign and that campaign should have started already."

Mr Higgins rejected his constituency colleague's criticism, saying he saw no advantage in running an election campaign for 18 months.

"I don't agree that my taking some time has been unhelpful. I think that's very unfair, given my situation last year in hospital for example. I think that I'm entitled to take time," he said.

He declined to comment on whether there was room for two in the constituency. "This is the first time I'm hearing all this so I need to think about it," he said.

However, Labour has already ruled out the possibility of two candidates a decision which will not be reversed.

A party spokesman said anyone was free to seek selection at convention.

"It is a matter in the end for the members in Galway West. I'm sure they would take into account the distinguished Dáil record of someone like Michael D Higgins," he said.

Meanwhile, in Sligo, Labour is facing the prospect of another councillor revolt amid continuing speculation that former Sligo-Leitrim TD Declan Bree may run as an independent.

Mr Bree's already fraught relationship with Labour leader Pat Rabbitte deteriorated further at the end of last year when the party dismissed an official complaint from him against Mr Rabbitte.

It is interesting to note that Cllr. Connolly publically supported Declan Bree in his ongoing row with Pat Rabbitte and attended the internal party complaints hearing at Labour HQ with the former Sligo mayor.