Spring: Timing of Labour vote unfair

A ROW has broken out in the Labour party over the organisation of a convention next weekend to select a candidate to contest a seat in the South in next year’s European elections.

One candidate, Arthur Spring, the nephew of former tánaiste Dick Spring, has accused party headquarters of putting him at a disadvantage because the convention was organised to suit his opponent, Senator Alan Kelly. The short timeframe between taking nominations and the convention means about 200 members, including Dick Spring, might not be able to vote because they had not paid their party membership fees on time.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin Kerry County Councillor, Toireasa Ferris, said she is not ruling out standing in next year’s European elections in the South, formerly Munster, constituency.

“I’m not ruling it out, but I have to see how circumstances go,” said the daughter of Sinn Féin TD, Martin Ferris, who holds Kerry North, once occupied by Dick Spring.

Supporters of Spring in the area have until this morning to re-register their branches. Many had not paid fees by the July 1 deadline and were given until this morning to appeal. Whether they should be allowed to vote will be decided by a six-person appeals committee.

Arthur Spring said: “In the space of a month we have gone from looking for nominations... and changing from a postal ballot to a convention — all without giving people adequate time to register. They have deprived people of a vote and a say.”

About 1,400 party members will be eligible to vote at next week’s convention.