Higgins turns to Labour executive as presidency bid gets thumbs down
However, even before Labour’s national executive makes a final decision today, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent last night called on Labour to act swiftly to endorse Eamon Ryan’s candidacy.
“Following the decision of Labour Oireachtas members to reject Michael D Higgins, we are hopeful that Labour will now support Mr Ryan,” he said.
Labour leader Pat Rabbitte declined to comment last night but indicated that Labour would likely support Mr Ryan if no Labour candidate was running. Mr Higgins was also complimentary about Mr Ryan yesterday calling him “a fine deputy and a good communicator”.
However, he reiterated his intention to make the case for his nomination to Labour’s 36-member national executive which will reach a final decision on the matter today.
“Effectively, what they decide, I am perfectly happy with,” he said. “[But] I don’t believe that there should be some kind of clap-gathering for the office of presidency - that people should gather and all cheer together. That happens in North Korea.”
After Labour’s parliamentary party meeting in Wexford yesterday agreed by a margin of two to one not to recommend his candidacy, Mr Higgins insisted he was not disappointed. “I’m looking forward to my participation in the Dáil and other forums,” he said.
Asked if he was confident Labour’s national executive would abide by his refusal to endorse Mr Higgins’ candidacy, Mr Rabbitte was cautious.
“I’m obviously hoping the national executive will approve the recommendation of the parliamentary party. There are a lot of independent-minded people there. I would hope they would support the position,” he said.
He dismissed any suggestion of a split among Labour’s ranks, insisting the party had never been more unified.
“We have made a decision and there is no member of the parliamentary party that doesn’t subscribe to that position,” he said.
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