Real fights are within the political parties

AS the European and local elections poll date draws close, the tribal instincts of the different political parties' members is cultivated in a sham show; like peacocks they unfold the colour of their plumage in fanfare style.

The real contests and bitterest battles are fought within the major political parties for nominations to contest elections. Many dour, even ugly struggles have occurred within Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour in recent weeks. Verbal foul blows and below the belt strokes have been exchanged within the political parties. Such in-fighting inflicts deep wounds.

Having survived to gain the nomination, the real prize, election, poses further hurdles for the party candidate. Inaction by key people in the party can impede election prospects of the unwanted candidate. Unfair division of a constituency will eliminate the unfavoured. Such divisions generate deep bitterness between party candidates as tacticians put the party prospects first. Many good candidates' reputations have been deliberately slandered by some within their own party.