Kenny focuses on symbolism of PD defection

THE defection of a Progressive Democrat councillor to Fine Gael is a symbolic blow to the government’s partners, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny claimed yesterday.

In a further signal of the PDs decline, Dún Laoghaire County Council’s Mary Mitchell O’Connor yesterday announced her decision to switch party allegiances.

A spokesman for the PD leader Mary Harney last night said she was “disappointed” by the decision but wished Ms O’Connor well.

On the formal announcement of the recruitment of the Dublin-based councillor yesterday, Mr Kenny said it marked a very positive vote of confidence in the party.

“This is the first move by a PD public representative to join an alternative party since the general election and, I believe, reflects the reality that many of the existing PD public representatives are now facing,” he said.

The loss of six TDs in the recent election was described as a “watershed” by Ms O’Connor.

“There has been an effective drift in terms of leadership and renewal,” she said.

“A vacuum has been created at the top of the party where Mary Harney is effectively filling in at the minute that has yet to be filled.

“As a result I started to question whether the PDs were the best option for me to represent the electorate of Dún Laoghaire.”

This is not the only loss experienced by the PDs. Senator Fiona O’Malley recently decided against a leadership bid, former party president Tom Parlon resigned from politics to work in the private sector and future hopeful Colm O’Gorman joined Amnesty International.