RACE FOR TONY’SEAT
THE FINE GAEL CONVENTION TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK LOOKS SET TO BE A DRAMATIC EVENING AS NINE FG CANDIDATES SCRAMBLE FOR A COVETED PLACE ON THE GENERAL ELECTION TICKET FOR THE PARTY
When John Perry walked down O’Connell Street a few days ago he says at least ‘10 lorry drivers rolled down the window to greet him and wish him well.’
The former Fine Gael deputy may be well known and popular with the electorate but it’s his own party delegates he has to impress first in a bid to get on the ticket for the upcoming general election.
And it looks set to be a tight race with nine candidates now scrambling to succeed Tony McLoughlin TD who has announced his decision to retire.
All of the nominations had to be declared by 5pm last Friday ahead of the convention in the Clayton Hotel on Thursday July 19 th. Then it’s thought the 1,000 or so delegates will nominate two candidates, one from Leitrim and one from Sligo.
Fine Gael Regional Organiser for the North West Enda McGloin explains: “We have a strategy committee made up of people in the area and we file a report to party Headquarters based on what we think would be best for the party in terms of a strategy to win two seats. There is a strong view among party members that there should be one candidate from Sligo and one from Leitrim. The ultimate aim of the party is to get two seats.”
Enda admits that the field is busier now because of Tony’s position and the race more interesting: “There is a seat available now. The focus is on the Sligo candidate.”
But the Fine Gael representative advises that ‘ultimately the decision rests on a directive by the Executive Council of Fine Gael.’
According to Enda, the nine candidates won’t find out until after their speeches on the night of the convention what call the executive has made.
The nine hopefuls are Blaine Gaffney, Senator Frank Feighan, Former Senator Michael Comiskey, Former Minister John Perry, Former Deputy Gerry Reynolds, Noel Merrick, Love Leitrim campaigner Eddie Mitchell, Councillor Hubert Keaney and Councillor Sinead Maguire.
Each bring something different to the table and there’s certainly a good variety in the mix. John Perry is anxious to get back to where he feels he belongs - in Dail Eireann.
The Ballymote based former Minister told The Sligo Champion: “I’m looking forward to serving my constituents and going back to the job I know best and enjoyed the most.”
Having served as a TD for 19 years from 1997 until 2016, he adds: “I gave the best part of my life, 19 years, of dedicated service in my role as a TD. I’m the most experienced. I have the knowledge and expertise. I was in Government at the most critical time in the history of the state from 2011 to 2014 when the country was on its knees.”
Indeed John Perry believes his absence from the corridors of power in Leinster House has had a negative impact on the north west region: “It seems to me there’s been a bit of a vacuum across South Sligo and beyond.The amount of people who have contacted me over the past two years. They have certainly missed my representation.”
Not that John Perry wants to blow his own trumpet as he says: “My experience is you achieve most in politics when you do not mind who takes the credit.”
The former deputy stresses that his constituents are and always have been his driving force: “That is what a public representative role is all about. The constituents are the most important of all.”
Given John Perry had to go all the way to the High Court after he failed to win the nomination last time out, when he was subsequently added but failed to get elected, does he have concerns over this convention?
“The most important thing at the moment is that this convention is fought fairly unlike the last one. I’m confident it will be open, transparent and fair,” he says.
“I won my case. I took on the establishment because the political system was interfered with in a non-democratic way. They’ve now brought in a whole new system recognised by the State and party, a whole new structure of honesty and integrity,” he adds.
Mr Perry narrowly missed out on getting his name on the ticket by just 10 votes and claims some members were prevented from voting for him.
He accused the then Taoiseach Enda Kenny of breaking a promise that all outgoing TDs would be given the chance to try and win back their seats
Back in 2015 when John Perry sued his own partyty he reveals he was offered a senatorshiphi if he conceded the case: “I turned down a senatorship. I was offered it if I stood back but on principle I did not take it.”
In contrast John Perry says he has the full backing of the current Taoiseach: “Leo asked me to run. He indicated to me very clearly that I should be on the ticket.”
I WAS OFFERED A SENATORSHIP IF I CONCEDED THE CASE BUT I REFUSED IT. I’M CONFIDENT THIS TIME WILL BE FAIR
As for delegate support, Perry iis confidentfid off thath saying i ultimately: “The vote is a fundamental right for these delegates who are the backbone of the party and their decision must be respected.” The Ballymote business man who’s financial woes have been well-documented says he is in a good place today and that ‘ those matters’ are being dealt with: “I’m fighting fit.”