Direct Democracy splits as rebels say it’s undemocratic

Ireland’s newest political party has already suffered the oldest curse of Irish politics — the split.

Direct Democracy Ireland, which was launched last November, and whose candidate beat Labour into fourth place in the Meath East by-election earlier this year, is riven with division after delegates walked out on a national meeting last Saturday.

The walkout occurred after delegates from Cork and Offaly expressed dismay at the articles of the party’s constitution, which they had just had sight of after failed attempts to access it since the summer. In particular, the delegates cited the undemocratic appointment of members to the party’s governing body and the failure of the party to create the structures set out in the constitution.