Whelan: Labour needs internal dialogue

ONE OF the reasons the Seanad is on the chopping block is that far too many senators have simply toed their respective party lines over the years and appeared incapable of anything approaching independent thought.

Labour senator John Whelan is a departure from that less than illustrious tradition. Although loyal to his party, he’s not afraid to state his own views when they clash with those of colleagues.

Take the forthcoming budget, for example. Whelan feels there wasn’t anything near enough internal consultation between the Labour leadership and parliamentary party members — TDs and senators — last year. He wants that to change this time round.