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About LinkBacksAnd a couple of the Northern members as hunting dogs....?
And a couple of the Northern members as hunting dogs....?
Originally Posted by Squire Allworthy
I'm gagging for a sherry after reading that!
Or 2.
If there is a future, it will be Green.
To answer my own question in light of responses...
1. Who would challenge for the leadership
Definitely Ryan and White
Probably Gormley, Gogarty and Boyle (yes)
Possibly DeBurca, McKenna and Maher
2. Who would make the best leader
Ryan - Would be a terrible leader because he dithers. Look at the presidential run. He got everyone's hopes up then chickened out. Absolutely not to be trusted because of self-serving mentality. We have had dealings with him before. He suits himself and doesn't have the membership's interests at heart. He is the blue-eyed boy of the D4 media set and indeed some GP members. But he has already broken promises made to local groups. Not at all popular in Munster but has a following in Connaught and amongst fundamentalist types - despite being someone who would sell his granny to be leader. Charisma is more than TV and set pieces, it is bringing people along in every situation.
White - Old fashioned and perhaps out of touch with the 18-39 set. But has a quaint appeal. Certainly different to Trevor Sargent and well liked by the membership. She might do a good job, but she could also end up being a lightweight. Unproven in terms of what she might do.
Gormley - Political heavyweight but suits himself. Seems to think that the Green Party ends in Dublin. However he would be infinitely suitable to Ryan because of an ability to play hardball when required. One of his pluses ironically is that he will debate issues head-on rather than sneak around like Ryan.
Gogarty - Not that known outside but outspoken within the party. Takes the mike at every conference to throw in his tuppance worth on motions. Is pragmatic like Gormley, but can be tactless. Proved himself to be supportive to the membership and a capable Dail performer, but prone to losing his head if he thinks others aren't playing to his own perception of fair play. Certainly one to watch, but not rounded enough at present.
Boyle - Why should the Green Party leader be a TD? Boyle would have more time to concentrate on building the party if he was outside the Oireachtas. Is skillfull and seat loss a huge blow. Ideal leader with gravitas.
DeBurca, Maher, McKenna - All ambitious but the fact that they are not TDs will score against. Could all have been real contenders if they had got elected.
3. Who would win a vote of Green Party members right now
Boyle if he runs
Otherwise Gormley or White
I don't believe that Ryan would win. His support is not deep within the party. And there are members queuing up to campaign against him
"The sheep with their little lambs
Pass'd me by on the road."
Sheep and Lambs - Katharine Tynan
Dan Boyle was awful in front of the cameras though - and while his policies were exceptionally good, his vital charisma and speechmaking abilities were not so good.
I feel that it was a real pity that Deirdre deBurca did not get elected in Wicklow. She could potentially be a good leader, as she is a talented speaker. Though that is only going on the brief moments I have seen of her on news/GP conference. Better than White or McKenna if a female leader was the way chosen.
If there is a leadership election though, Ryan will most likely be the victor, due to his popularity and desire to work with FF. Hopefully it will be FF/PD/Green with DeBurca, Boyle and one/two others as Senators.
Correct me if I err; the Green Party has a Leader (Trevor) and a Chair person (John Gormley). Dammed confusing and not sure what the distinction is.
I assume Chair is internal party organisation and therefore does not need to be an elected representative? Would it make sense to replace both, clean break? This, a few senators and seats in government would create opportunities for a wider spread of members and would help share the load?
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