O’Byrne is one to watch

It was interesting to see the level of support the rank and file of the Labor Party still have for exiled state member David O’Byrne. Mercury journalist Sue Bailey revealed on Sunday that Mr O’Byrne topped a ballot of delegates to attend the ALP’s national conference.

It’s a sure show of support for Mr O’Byrne, who was ousted as Labor leader before the last election due to indiscretions.

Some in the party say Mr O’Byrne should immediately be allowed back into the caucus.

But others in the parliamentary Labor Party say it would be a disaster, claiming many in the party would resign over the move.

There is no doubt Mr O’Byrne is an excellent politician.

He holds the government to account without all the hyperbole and venom of others in Labor.

He works hard, is everywhere in his community and is active in the party by going to branch meetings and events.

If an early election was to be called Mr O’Byrne would be an important piece in the puzzle for Labor Leader Rebecca White if she wanted to have enough seats to govern in her own right.

But there is another issue that might stand in the way for Mr O’Byrne’s inclusion back into the Labor caucus: that’s the stadium.

As we see in today’s paper Mr O’Byrne is 110 per cent behind the project. While being a selfproclaimed independent Labor member in the house, Mr O’Byrne is also the president of the Southern Football League.

He used his speech in parliament on Tuesday to endorse a noconfidence motion against the government, but also backed the stadium in a passionate address.

He blamed the government’s mismanagement as the reason so many people were against the proposal and said that was a shame because a stadium and a team had so much to offer the state.

The future of Mr O’Byrne will be an interesting one to watch.

Will he be the one to save the stadium when it comes to a vote if one of the Liberal defectors decides to vote against the government? Or will he be welcomed back into Labor’s arms?

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