PDs demise, an opportunity for Libertas?

[Keith-M]

If as I expect, the PDs announce they are about to fold, the only question remains whether they will simply merge into FF or if members will be allowed to go their own way, which I think is preferable. Eleven consecutive years in government with FF has obviously removed the hositility to the the country's largest party and may may choose to either stay within FF or leave politics altogether, however are there opportnities for other parties to gain?

The left leaning Greens and Labour would be unlikely homes for former PDs, and while FG might once have been an alternative, a quarter of a century of threading water on the opposition benches replacing one unelectable leader with another rules FG out for anyone with any ambition.

There is however another alternative. In many ways the Libertas calll for accountability in the EU has echoes of the old PD mantra of high standards in in office in this country. Also as many PDs would be Thatcherite in economic terms, a group that is Euro-sceptic and challenges the role of "big government" (whether in Dublin or Brussels) might prove an attractive option. Good timing by Mr.Ganley or just coincidence?

[FutureTaoiseach]

Any private polling by parties on how Libertas would fare in elections?

[returning officer]

I's imagine such polls would remain private. Libertas is not a political party, it's influence is greater than that which would br provided by a few councillors or an isolated TD. That would not preclude Ganley from running in Europe and he could do so in all of the constituencies to make his point.

On the PDs demise: if they want to use the word merger to refer to their return to Fianna Fail - the Republican Party, then former FF by-election victor and minister, Desmond O'Malley better turn up to give his blessing.

[Edo]

Libertas have no interest in getting involved in the domestic political arena - theirs is a Pan-European project and is ultimately concerned with reforming and ultimately setting up a Federal Europe.

I have that on good authority from the very top and a couple of Eurosceptic individuals who were involved at the highest level in the Lisbon campaign just gone and have since parted ways with Mr Ganley in light of this.

[CookieMonster]

Libertas have no interest in getting involved in the domestic political arena - theirs is a Pan-European project and is ultimately concerned with reforming and ultimately setting up a Federal Europe.

I have that on good authority from the very top and a couple of Eurosceptic individuals who were involved at the highest level in the Lisbon campaign just gone and have since parted ways with Mr Ganley in light of this.

Oh you do, do you? This "eurosceptic" label is being thrown around with very little consideration to what it actually entails. Most would probabably consider me a eurosceptic. This couldn't be further from the truth. I wouldn't consider Ganley a Eurosceptic either, it's not like he's made many eurosceptic comments, has he? While I may now be more sceptical of the EU (or rather the elites within) I am not a Eurosceptic in the classic sense. It was obvious given what Libertas was doing (ie. opposition of the Treaty) that many of the hard line Eurosceptics (UKIP etc) would flock to Libertas but it was and is very unlikely that and of that sort would stay around given the clearly stated aims of Libertas and Ganley, which while in opposition of the treaty was for very different (but as I said, clearly stated) reasons.

There are, however, those who would be identified as "eurosceptic" but who are more realistic in their expectations and would be satisfied with constructive reform.

[hiker]

Libertas have no interest in getting involved in the domestic political arena - theirs is a Pan-European project and is ultimately concerned with reforming and ultimately setting up a Federal Europe.

I have that on good authority from the very top and a couple of Eurosceptic individuals who were involved at the highest level in the Lisbon campaign just gone and have since parted ways with Mr Ganley in light of this.

If Libertas turn pro-Federal, I'm in.

[sandar]

and i would probably be out

[Pembroke/Rathmines]

If they became a poitical party they would have to state where they are getting their money, etc and they defo don't want to say that?!!

and before pro Libertas people come on and say thay got there money through small donations from supporters..... you didn't get the lump sum you stasrted with from supporters that you didn't have at the start....money came from america.

[hiding behind a poster]

If they became a poitical party they would have to state where they are getting their money, etc and they defo don't want to say that?!!

and before pro Libertas people come on and say thay got there money through small donations from supporters..... you didn't get the lump sum you stasrted with from supporters that you didn't have at the start....money came from america.

That's interesting, I wasn't aware there was a lump sum at the start - how much was it?

[Edo]

[quote=hiding behind a poster]

If they became a poitical party they would have to state where they are getting their money, etc and they defo don't want to say that?!!

and before pro Libertas people come on and say thay got there money through small donations from supporters..... you didn't get the lump sum you stasrted with from supporters that you didn't have at the start....money came from america.

That's interesting, I wasn't aware there was a lump sum at the start - how much was it?[/quote:3nd8szoa]

7 figures and the agreed support of one large Eurosceptical British newspaper stable back in Nov/Dec 07 if my memory serves me right.