MLA joins Fianna Fáil
Read more about: Cavan-Monaghan, Comment, Nationalism, News, Northern Ireland, Republicanism 
Gerry McHugh, until this morning an Independent MLA, has joined Fianna Fáil. He becomes the first person to represent the party in a parliament other than the Oireachtas, I believe (Dev didn’t sit). It seems to signal their entry into Northern politics.
McHugh was a Sinn Féin representative for Fermanagh/South Tyrone until 2007. His reason for leaving? The SF leaderships’ “overly controlling” attitude to members.
“I have become increasingly disillusioned with the totally undemocratic nature of the party and the totally top-down dictation within it”, he told The Irish News, according to the BBC. The direct link to the cited article Irish News article requires subscription, but Pete Baker on Slugger notes in the interview McHugh also said “Sinn Féin’s decision to endorse policing in the north was a ‘factor’ in his decision.”
Odd one, innit? A Fianna Fáiler not backing the PSNI to the hilt…
He’s also a former-republican-prisoner, lifelong member of Norn Iron Farmers’ Association, former hiker… and probably other stuff. Maybe.
Down here in Mexico this may help Fianna Fáil’s battle to save two of their three seats in Cavan-Monaghan, where Margaret Conlon and/or Rory O’Hanlon look shaky (unless O’Hanlon retires…)
As Asda Tesco says, Every Little Helps.
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| * | Caoimhghin O Caolain |
Some choice. Leave one party of bank robbers to join a party of robbing bankers…..
yawn colm!
Anyway
FF still does not have an mla, he may, just may run under their banner at the next assembly elections. As much a sign of an imploding sdlp as anything else i think. Also a sign that maybe jockeying for mla seats is starting.
As an aside, I’m pretty sure Dr. O’Hanlon IS going to retire, and I still don’t think that’s enough to save Conlon’s seat. The atmosphere towards her up there is just plain ugly.
Mark
There’s a more up-to-date interview with Gerry McHugh here.