Who'll be next Green Party leader?

[mollox]

Who’ll be the new leader of the Green Party? The front-runners appear to be Gormley, Ryan and Cuffe. I'm not a party supporter - so these impressions are from afar.

John Gormley has always struck me as the main representative of the flakey wing of the party, but his personal conduct during the recent negotiations (not necessarily his ability as a negotiator) has suggested that he may be calming down to more acceptable and balanced levels.

Eamonn Ryan is another front runner who makes me uncomfortable. In fact, as uncomfortable as he himself appears to be - he twists and squirms as sincerity is given a physical manifestation as he speaks in a voice laden with emotion. But I don’t trust him since his solo-run in 2004 when he announced his candidature for the Presidency, without prior consultation with his party colleagues. This smacked of naked personal ambition and was ultimately shot down by the party, merely succeeding in making the Greens look like fools and political novices in the process.

Ciaran Cuffe is touted as another front-runner. He seems like a cold fish, I can’t imagine him enthusing members or being a great ad to attract new members. His pre-negotiation blog likening a deal with FF as a deal with the devil was in stark contrast to his pro-coalition attitude at yesterday’s Mansion House conference. He strikes me as a charisma-free politician who keeps his cards close to his chest and I wouldn’t trust him.

Gormley would probably be the deserving and safe choice, while Ryan might be more dangerous but, with more imagination, could produce innovative ideas and appeal to a younger audience.

Dan Boyle seemed, to an outsider, the most likeable high-profile member over the past few weeks, but he says he's not a contender.

What do Green Party supporters think?

[wise_old_owl]

I am not a member but I would put serious money on Eamonn Ryan

[Dunny]

Eamonn Ryan or Gormley

[Barbarian]

I'd prefer Eamonn Ryan, his earnestness aside, he was the first Green Party TD after the election to show full support for entry into government and fully cogent of the need to stay the course in government when pressed by Seamus Brennan and Mary Hanafin – a whole lot less flaky than I would have thought of him.
He’d be much more of a leader than Gormley, less influenced by the sandal-wearing lentil-eating brigade and more realistic on the compromises necessitated by coalition government.
I still get the whole linen suit & bicycle vibe from Gormley

[Rapisco]

Gormley - without any doubt -



should have happened years ago.

[eurocrat]

I would like to see Ryan, but i suspect membership will choose Gormley. Gormley will need to get a bit of a makeover though and few new suits. Or at least an iron at best. He has this whiteish sport jackets that I've seen creased twice over the past few weeks. I accept he was probably too busy to be ironing his clothes the past while, but it is not good for the image. He could do with looking more statesman like.

Where is Eamonn Ryan form originally? I can't place his accent.

[mollox]

Where is Eamonn Ryan form originally? I can't place his accent.

Angst, D4

[Eddiepops]

the sandal-wearing lentil-eating brigade

the whole linen suit & bicycle vibe

Gormley will need to get a bit of a makeover though and few new suits. Or at least an iron at best

How are we meant to take any of you or your discussion of this issue seriously when your criteria for a party leader extends not far beyond their clothes?

[adamirer]

Did Gormley not have the job years ago? It won't be Boyle (unless they do a Dooge) - who was the obvious candidate, Cuffe or Gogarty. Eamon Ryan is seen as a a bit too intellectual and lacking the common man touch. The dark horse is Mary White, who is very popular in parts of the party and had a great result in Carlow - the green with a rural appeal.

[Barbarian]

How are we meant to take any of you or your discussion of this issue seriously when your criteria for a party leader extends not far beyond their clothes?

Mea culpa, it's just a bit of colour more than anything...and perhaps playing on an unfair stereotype, and don’t say the Greens don’t do the same with Fianna Fáil!
I’d be a bit more angry with the treatment of the greens by Miriam Lord in todays IT, hamming it up as usual and the typical accompanying photos.

Eurocrat…have you reaffirmed your allegiance to FF in the aftermath of the Galway East results?