Internal divisions over election candidate system

INTERNAL party divisions emerged for the second year running over proposals to restrict the right of grassroots members to pick election candidates.

Last year the plan to scrap the party’s successful One Member One Vote (OMOV) policy was parked to allow members consider the implications of any radical change.

On Saturday the debate was reopened with delegates clashing on how candidates should bechosen.

Clare deputy Pat Breen opposed the continuation of OMOV. He said it favoured richer aspirants at local level who could sign up notional members and pack selection conventions.

However, national executive chairman Brian Murphy said while the current system had difficulties it was the most democratic.

Delegates from the floor who supported him said there was nothing wrong with packing conventions.

And if budding politicians could successfully negotiate local branches it was a good indication of political prowess and an indication of appetite.

A delegate from Bandon said it has one of the strongest branches in the region but its voice is drowned out by bus loads of people arriving from Dunmanway to select candidates.

Vice-chair of the Cork south central branch, Dennis Kirby, said it also created a system where party headquarters could keep notional branches alive just to house members who can do its bidding at conventions.

The chair of the debate, MEP Jim Higgins, did not take a vote from the floor but said the views would be recorded and inform any changes due after the next general election.