Son of former minister Smith in tight FF selection race

THE son of former government minister Michael Smith is to challenge outgoing TD Máire Hoctor to run for Fianna Fáil in the general election in the North Tipperary constituency.

Michael Smith Jnr, along with Ms Hoctor and county councillor John Hogan have been nominated to contest the party’s selection convention in The Ragg, Thurles, tomorrow night.

With Fianna Fáil at an all-time low in the opinion polls, the party has decided only one candidate must be chosen as a tactic to maximise votes in the election.

Ms Hoctor, who holds the party’s only seat in the constituency, knows she is facing a tough battle to secure the nomination as both Smith and Hogan are very strong contenders.

Ms Hoctor, who has been in the Dáil since first elected in 2002, has indicated that failure to secure selection from the grassroots of party may spell the end of her political career at national level.

But she stated she is determined to be selected to run in the election.

“I believe together and with the full support of our party and supporters, we will defy the statistics and retain our Fianna Fáil seat.”

In the last election in 2007 Ms Hoctor struggled to the final count but vital vote transfers helped her retain her seat despite not reaching the quota. Her running mate Michael Smith Snr, despite polling almost 500 first preferences votes more than her, failed to get elected.

Getting past the convention hurdle could prove difficult for her. At the selection stage for the last election, she only narrowly defeated first-time contestant John Hogan to get herself on the ticket.

Mr Hogan, a county councillor for the past 11 years, said he had conducted a vigorous campaign to secure the party’s grassroots support.

He said: “In my canvassing I have found a lot of people who are disappointed with our party and the leadership. They are looking for a change as they feel FF has not listened to the grassroots over the last years.

“I hope to win this selection convention. Among the views out there is we need a clean sweep in connection with political dynasties. If this is a fair fight I feel confident of winning it,” said Mr Hogan.

Meanwhile, Michael Smith Jnr is hoping that he can repeat the achievement of his father who was first elected a TD for the party in 1969. And with Michael Smith Snr spending four decades in politics the Smith party machine at grassroots level is very strong.