Declan Bree resigns from Labour

by Linker Wed May 16, 2007 15:25

Thought you were having us on for a moment, as you did not bother to give any link to the article, so I checked it out. It's true, see:
http://www.oceanfm.ie/onair/sligoleitrimnews.php?articl...01435

by Ray Wed May 16, 2007 15:38

It's about time this happened in Sligo. Fair play to Declan. I wish him the best of luck.

by Ben Bulben Wed May 16, 2007 15:40

The headline on the Ocean.fm link called this a shock. Blimey, this has been on the cards since he didn't get the Labour nomination for Sligo/NthLeitrim.

Theres a freebie just published in Sligo called 'The Sligo Post' which carries an article where Bree claims he never even heard of Indymedia????

Wheres he been all these years?

I think he's genuinely lost the plot.

by Ron. Wed May 16, 2007 15:51

Declan Bree has been a formidable campiagner down through the years. No doubt he will continue to to be an active voice on the Left.

by mick Wed May 16, 2007 15:53

Declan Bree never put his name forward for nomination for the general election. He said he wouldn't stand for the party while Pat Rabbitte was leader. Three years ago the Sligo/Leitrim constituency voted by about 9/1 against Jim McGarrys membership of the party, for political and ideological reasons. This was over ruled by Pat Rabbitte in the head office and caused a division within the party locally.

Cllr. Bree is not the first memeb to resign in Sligo Leitrim, the list includes three local election candidates from the 1999 and 2004 elections as well as a former councillor, the whole party in Co. Leitrim as well as many other ordinary long standing members.

Out of the 7 local election candiates who stood in the last two local elections only 1 is still left in the party. The figures speak for themselves!

by Ben Bulben Wed May 16, 2007 16:05

"Declan Bree never put his name forward for nomination for the general election. He said he wouldn't stand for the party while Pat Rabbitte was leader. Three years ago the Sligo/Leitrim constituency voted by about 9/1 against Jim McGarrys membership of the party, for political and ideological reasons. This was over ruled by Pat Rabbitte in the head office and caused a division within the party locally."

That is an out and out lie. McGarry was ratified by the normal democratic process used by all parties during the nomination process.

Bree never went forward because he knew he hadn't the required support. As usual Bree is trying to bluff his way out being anything other than the adored leader of the left in Sligo by falsification and outright blatant lies.

He also claims he never heard of indymedia?

Such lies.

by Union member Wed May 16, 2007 16:32

Now Labour Sligo can put this entire unsavoury period behind it and build a local party based on looking after the common interest rather than self interest. Let this be a lesson to all party workers that the cult of the individual, epitomised by Bree, will damage any party base. Bree consistantly harangued any person who did not agree with his narrow view of socialism. He was a monolith that hung around the neck of the local party for years. Good riddence

by john Wed May 16, 2007 16:38

http://www.declanbree.com/home/declan-bree-resigns-from....html

by Anarchist Wed May 16, 2007 17:01

Its seems the day has finally come when Mr Bree finally realised that the Labour Party has in no way got the interests of socialism in its manifesto.
Hopefully he can commit the time he daily wasted with the centrist party to more fruitful pursuits such as community organising and education.
Good luck to him,and congrats on finally making the leap of faith..

by Serge Wed May 16, 2007 17:08

I enjoy a good barney between lefties as much as any indynerd but this one is just so pointless. There isn't a hairsbreath of a diffference between the politico's involved. All of them, including SF, Greens and Bree (and Labour of course) have no problem with coalition with right wing parties. All have no problem with the complete capitulation to neo-liberal economic policies of their parties/ex-parties. What divides them is petty squabbles that would divide any bunch of local councillors in any part of the country.

The day some individual or group in Sligo who advocate genuine socialist positions emerge, I'll pay attention to these disputes. Until then you can argue til you're blue in the face about your social democratic favourites, just dont bore us with it.

by FG Wed May 16, 2007 23:02

Sorry to bore the pure revolutionaries, but Declan Bree did oppose coalition in the run up to the unformed Independent Left Alliance. Are people not allowed to adopt better positions?

If Declan had have left Labour before the nominations deadline, and stood himself, the Independent Left Alliance would probably have happened and a small but historic step would have been taken towards an alternative to the left of Labour and the rest of the pro-coalition parties.

Anyway its a long road ahead, and perhaps Declan is on it now.

by P. K Lynch Wed May 16, 2007 23:28

Bree flip flopped all over the place. He has tried coalition and caused an enormous amount of damage while he was at it.

He is a hypocrite denouncing coalition, pure and simple.

Its for this reason noboby gives a toss what he has to say whether its too late or not.

Somebody here is flogging a dead horse big time.

Bree is finished.

by Moan Abrennan Thu May 17, 2007 10:37

Has any other Labour memebrs resigned with him? has Jonh Dunne resigned or does he still think Labour are a good party to remain in? What about former candidates Rhona McGowan and Pauline Mulligan? Have they left?

by kat Thu May 17, 2007 14:27

Last year the total memebrship of Labour party in Co. Leitrim resigned, including '99 & '04 local election candidate Gabriel McSharry. This year former labour councillor Brian Scanlon and '99 & '04 local election candidate Tim Mulcahy also resigned. There have also been large number of ordinary members who have either not renewed their party membership or resigned.

I expect many more to follow suit in the coming weeks.

It seems the only people that will be left locally are the friends and supporters that Jim McGarry brought with him when he joined.

by Jim McM Thu May 17, 2007 16:19

Why did Gabriel McSharry resign? I didnt think it had anything to do with the McGarry/Bree or Rabbitte/Bree infighting had it?

Didnt he also leave a wee while before that and then rejoined?

BTW anyway see the claim by Bree that he didnt even know of the existence of Indymedia? Ha ahahahahaha Nice one Declan

by jay Thu May 17, 2007 16:55

That has to be a mis-quote, where did that come from?

I'm sure he has even posted on indymedia in his own name on the events page.

He politics might be stuck uin the 1960s and he's from the west of Ireland but he's not that backward.

by Jim McM Thu May 17, 2007 17:15

No mistake. Its in the new Sligo Post newspaper. I cheecked the website and its not on there but I have the actual newspaper here and its there inblack and white. Its an article about the row between Bree and SIPTU official John McCarrick

by Marxy Marx Thu May 17, 2007 20:41

McSharrys resignation had nothing to do with the Bree/McGarry spat and yes he did rejoin the party after a meeting with Rabitte and a bit of soul searching when he realised he was duped.

Bree and his cronies trying to suggest otherwise is a falsification

Bree never wanted McSharry on the ticket for Sligo North Leitrim (this was the reason given by Maccer and Bree at the time for his resignation), are ya kidding, it would have been a direct challenge to his own candidacy back before McGarry got ratified. Bree never allowed anyone within the party locally to ascend to a postion that would challenge his little hegemony.

McDaid left to try and organise the Greens in Leitrim and for personal reasons. Again nothing to do with McGarry joining the Party. This is all a matter of record.

And the article about Bree not being aware of 'Indymedias' existance is real. It was published by a new paper in Sligo called the Sligo Post (I think its a sub of Ocean.fm) which kind puts Bree into perspective really.

by Sligeach Fri May 18, 2007 12:55

I know Bree is opposed to the current Labour alliance with Fine Gael, but where has he said that he's opposed to coalition with right wing parties in general? Is it just FG he has a problem with? He was happy enough when Labour was in coalition with FF. This isn't nitpicking, just a serious attempt to find out where he stands. If he has said that coalition with FF/FG/PDs is out altogether, then maybe we can forgive him his past transgressions. But if it's just one particular type of coalition arrangement he's against, that's a different thing.

As for the Independent Left Alliance, they should take note of the fact that Bree didn't announce his resignation from Labour until the Alliance was scuppered. Clearly he didn't think much of its prospects.

by d carty/sligo Fri May 18, 2007 17:50

I glad Brian Scanlon and J Mc Garry could sit and talk about the election on Ocean FM without going at each other over the local Labour party or D Bree. Maybe we all can get on with running your lives and stop the fighting. Lets get FF out of office

by ned green Fri May 18, 2007 20:00

Very low level of so called debate on Ocean FM this morning,the only one who impressed was the interviewer Niall Delaney.Dont kid yourself D Carty if you think there is one iota of differance between Fianna Fail and FG/LAB Blueshirt alliance as Cleaver Trevor said its policies that matter not just a watered down version of FF/Lite.Anyway Im voting number 1 for Green Cake next week and no 2 for Sean Mc Manus as neither of these two are part of any right wing alliance.

by Boxty Sat May 19, 2007 13:08

I'm giving Brian my No.1also.....The tone and quality of the arguments put foward on these "Sligo" threads is too often simplistic, childish and vindictive, with far too many hidden agendas.Brian is an honest,hard working,human,and a decent candidate.........which is something very sadly lacking in local Sligo politics.I wish him well.

by True Blue Sun May 20, 2007 20:48

Do the voters of Sligo/Nt Leitrim realise how fortunate they are to have four candidates all chasing the Blueshirt vote,remember Wee Jimmy had over twenty years service in the Blueshirts before he jumped ship was refused entry by Harney,he was too right wing for her,but his politics were just what new Labour under Rabbitte required.Im sure he will do a splendid job on polling day mopping up transfers for his former comrades in FG.

by Rainbow Warrior Mon May 21, 2007 09:21

Great news for FF and the Greens in the latest opinion poll.Even better for the Greens as they have a two way chance of being in Government,whither its FF/Green or FG/Lab/Green.On this basis it would be in the interests of the electorate of Sligo/Nt Leitrim to give Green Cake as strong a vote as possible.in order for Cleaver Trevor to at least nominate him to the Senate,im sure everyone would agree he,d be far more colourful than that other Senator Scanlon.

by Watcher Mon May 21, 2007 13:05

If FF are elected back into government, emigration is the only attractive option for a socialist.

by imelda Thu May 24, 2007 20:20

Just read in the Sligo Champion that two branches of the Labour Party have voted to dissolve in support of Declan Bree.They are the East ward in Sligo Town and North Sligo,is,nt North Sligo represented by Cllr Veronica Cawley is she now next ?.

by f fallon Fri May 25, 2007 00:04

She had talks with FF last year but with two FF cillrs in north sligo already she cant go

by nedgreen Fri May 25, 2007 13:15

Just heard the final tally figures for Sligo/Nt Leitrim Green Cake has done tremendously,he definately looks good to win back his Council seat from Veronica and her Corpo seat at the next local election.Wee Jimmys vote has bombed,if shes to have any chance to retain her seats next time she should ask Green Cake for an application form.

by P. K Lynch Fri May 25, 2007 17:27

Now the election is over the outcome is irrelevant. The job has been done and that was to remove Declan Bree from Labour in Sligo.

Seems most of Cakes vote came from the rural constituencies with him getting barely above 200 in the town. Those who voted for him in the rural districts obviously dont know him. And those 200 odd votes he got in the town are spread through all the wards.

I dont think Veronica has much to worry about when it comes to the locals. They are a different Kettle of fish and with Bree set to move to Galway with his partner, cake will have to do all his own dirty work and knowing him he will make a complete balls of it.

by earthwatch Fri May 25, 2007 18:38

Wee Jimmys just been eliminated and lost his deposit.I suppose he,s now seriously considering rejoining the real Blueshirts.I also wouldnt be surprised if Pat falls on his sword before the night is over and also joins the Blueshirts after their disasterous election.I also see that Wee Jimmys posters in Ballisodare have turned yellow just like the candidate,no show at the count and giving local radio a wide berth.

by Union member Fri May 25, 2007 18:50

It's hard to know which is the sadder, all three seats in Sligo N/Leitrim going to right wing parties or the sight of so called socialists in the region crowing over the outcome.

by tree hugger Fri May 25, 2007 19:30

Dissappointed Brian didnt call for a recount as i beleive thousands of Green voters inadvertently got mixed up on the ballot paper and mistakenly gave their Green vote to Eamonn.Why would Sligo Town voters vote for a Ballymote man.Go on ye Boya.

by RM Jones Sat May 26, 2007 18:34

The results of the last local elections will show that the Labour Party in Sligo North Leitrim succeeded in getting almost 4,000 first preference votes.

In the short space of a couple of years McGarry and his SIPTU mate and Director of Elections John McCarrick, have succeeded in reducing the labour vote to 1500.

McCarrick was on local radio yesterday, digging the hole deeper, trying to explain how such a disaster came about.

by lefty type Sat May 26, 2007 19:02

Its all academic. It doesnt matter who ran for Labour bar Michael D. Higgins himself they would have fared no better. Bree wouldn't have got more votes than McGarry and any extra votes would have been the votes cake took from McGarry.
FF and FG battered everyone. Even principled socialists like Joe Higgins didnt retain his seat so what hope of Bree improving the Labour vote in Sligo?

It was however crucial to rid Labour in Sligo of Bree. McGarry should step aside now and let the party foster some real talented candidates the likes of which Bree always scared off or steered away from the party in case he was challenged.

As for cake, he only got the same vote from the town that he got in 2004 and that was across the 4 wards. When it comes to the locals he wont have the 1000 odd rural votes he got from people who havent a clue who he is. So I dont know what he is cheering about. If he was to set himself up in the locals he had to poll well in the town and the fact is he didnt. Nice try though, but Cake damaged MacManus more than he did McGarry.

McGarry got stuffed like everyone else across the country by the massive electoral machine and the man power employed by the big two. Its really that simple.

At least the Bree/McGarry fued is over now and Labour can move on. I have heard through that there is a budding young candidate in the pipeline who could do wonders for Labour in 2012.

by Union member Sat May 26, 2007 19:30

" I have heard through that there is a budding young candidate in the pipeline who could do wonders for Labour in 2012."
You betcha Leftie. Deadwood will stay deadwood. Roll on rhe locals.

by B.Filane Sat May 26, 2007 20:12

John McCarrick of SIPTU did everything in his power to bring his mate McGarry into Labour. He advised Rabbitte and Labour HQ that McGarry would most definitely win a seat for Labour in Sligo-Leitrim.
Earlier this week McCarrick was on OceanFM saying that McGarry would take the third seat And he told the Sligo Champion newspaper that it was “entirely possible and realistic” that McGarry would take the seat.

And McGarry ends up with a pathetic 1500 votes

I figure McCarrick knows as much about politics as he does about trade unionism

by Michael Sat May 26, 2007 21:15

nedgreen said that "Just heard the final tally figures for Sligo/Nt Leitrim Green Cake has done tremendously,he definately looks good to win back his Council seat from Veronica and her Corpo seat at the next local election.Wee Jimmys vote has bombed,if shes to have any chance to retain her seats next time she should ask Green Cake for an application form."

What you forgetting is that SF Cllr Arthur Gibbons is almost certainly going to run in the Sligo/Drumcliffe electoral area for the County Council. That will upset both Veronicas re election campaign and Brians attempts to get back the seat he lost last time out

by Max K Sat May 26, 2007 21:44

I’m told that the small group of McGarrys supporters who turned up at the count in Sligo yesterday looked a forlorn and miserable crew. They waited… and waited …and waited…and waited… for their candidate to turn up. Where was he?
It took some time for the penny to drop and for them to realise that they had been abandoned and deserted. Solidarity was never a value that McGarry understood.
It will be interesting to read the local press to see how his Director of Elections John McCarrick, justifies this and how he explains the pitiful vote McGarry received.

by g conlon/grange Sat May 26, 2007 22:44

People in labour had to get real . Labour vote in the rest of the country held up (over 10 %) Stop pointing the finger at everyone else. Mc garry was a bad candidate for lots of reasons so stop looking for scapegoats

by civic_critic - Labour Party Sun May 27, 2007 04:51

The labour vote in sligo was never going to be anywhere near 10% regardless who ran for Labour. Stop looking for excuses for Bree, he would have done no better. Where did this magic 10% figure materialise out of???

Labour will move on and develope without Brees caustic influence. Sad day for Labour nationally. Good days ahead for Labour locally!

by g conlon/grange Sun May 27, 2007 07:45

Facts. Brian scanlon had 3 weeks to canvass,had no time to get to Collooney ,Ballisadare,tubbercurry,ballymote or the ballintogher areas He was only 2 nights in N/ Leitrim.Large parts of the town were not done. He had just 70 posters and for the whole election just 2 small ads in the local papers on the last week. Even on the last day of the canvass in the Grange area people didnt know the greens were running. The green team number about 9 people' most never had anything to do with a election before. They are facts. To get 1200 votes on his first gen election with a new party and no money is a remarkable feat. It say alot for being honest hard working man who can hold he's head up today

by Union member Sun May 27, 2007 09:20

The crowing of so called socialists that are aligned to Bree in Sligo know as much about politics as they do about true socialism. In their attempts to bally rag McGarry, they conveniently over look the fact that the left got a drubbing in the election all over the country. In truth, McGarry was handed an impossible task and Pat Rabbite clearly signaled as much in his interview on Oceanfm during his visit to Sligo. Needless to say, the cause was not helped by the snipeing of Bree and his few cohorts who cared little if their antics might damage the prospects of a left seat being won in the area. ( By the way, Connolly did no better in Galway and despite her and Bree's best efforts Michael D. was returned by the electorate there.)
McGarry's performance must be put into context. Sinn Fein were badly mauled and even Joe Higgins got trampled in the stampede by the two large parties who ran huge campaigns, no doubt financed by big business in the Constructuion sector and the new found "for-profit" outfits in the Health sector. While those professing to be of the left engaged in squabbling, the "money men' financed the big parties to hoover up votes while they will hoover up the loot later. The left will remain left outside so long as it remains divided and tolerates people within it's ranks who's egos and not principle are their driving force.
But not to worry, we all have another five years of the two tiered health system, withdrawal of servcies, landlords hoovering up housing and charging huge rents,etc.etc. to contemplate what went wrong.
In the scheme of things I don't think Bree and his ego will take up too much of anyone's time.

by B.Filane Sun May 27, 2007 12:39

Labour in Sligo is now well and truly f**ked. Everyone and anyone who could be described as left of centre have all resigned from the party over the past year and Labour supporters refuse to vote for the labour candidate. Jim McGarry/John McCarrick are now in control of the rump that remains - - and the Titanic sails on into the wild blue yonder.

by lefty type - No more Bree Sun May 27, 2007 12:59

Labour was f*cked under Bree and McGarry couldn't stop the slide.

Brilliant campaigns from FF and FG damaged the left all over the state. That is the honest unbiased non-toxic conclusion as to what happened to Labour both locally and nationally although McGarry had to deal with a wounded Declan Bree trying to placate his ego.

As for cakes 'brilliant' performance, when those who voted for him realise what a mistake they made voting for a puppet the Greens will find their chances of making further more substantial in roads into the region crippled for quite a while.

Scanlon is a poor candidate, the less said about his 'hard work' the better. Everyone in sligo knows what hes like, thats why he still only got 250 votes from the town, the same he got in 2004 when the people had enough of him.

They are facts.

by Max K Sun May 27, 2007 14:48

Who is this guy Union member? The fact is that the Labour vote nationally is only down a half of one percent. Pat Rabbitte describes it as a “standstill”. In many constituencies the Labour percentage is up, while in some it is down slightly. Take a look at the results!

In Sligo/North Leitrim the Labour vote is down over 50%. There is no other constituency in the entire country where Labour performed so badly, or even came near performing so badly.

McGarry destroyed the labour vote.

With people like Jimmy McGarry and union suits like John McCarrick running the show there is no future for Labour in Sligo

by Union member Sun May 27, 2007 17:41

Max K attempts to blame McGarry for the slump in votes . This is to mis-state the case. Labour support in the area has been dying for sometime now due to personality politics and the decision to put McGarry forward was an effort to stop the rot. The change was too late. But it is a change for the better and now that the egos have been dumped, real work can commence to rebuild the party locally and the lessons learned from allowing egos rule the roost will not be forgotten.
By the way, the rump that was removed could have run a candidate themselves but didn't and for good reason. Brees gloating over the poor showing of Labour speaks volumes for him.

Would Max K care to explain why Joe Higgins lost his seat?

by Max K Sun May 27, 2007 18:18

I don’t know what Joe Higgins has to do with Jim McGarry. They are at opposite ends of the political spectrum.

You ask why Joe Higgins lost his seat. It would appear that he lost because he did not receive enough votes and particularly transfers.

Joan Burton, the Labour candidate in Dublin West obviously took a lot of Higgins first preference votes and he didn’t manage to get a sufficient number of transfers.

The Labour candidate Joan Burtons vote was up by 2,000.

As I pointed out already the Labour vote nationally is down only a half of one percent (a tiny reduction)

Yet Jim McGarry and the SIPTU suit McCarrick managed to reduce the Labour vote in Sligo North Leitrim by over 50%

PS. If Labour support was dying in Sligo how did it manage to get almost 4000 votes in the local elections?

by Union member Sun May 27, 2007 19:44

It's pointless going round in circles, the intention here is to gloat and not engage in real discussion. The misinformation that is being peddled here is that McGarry's performance is comparable with previous elections and of course, as the constituency has been changed and reduced to a three seater, this cannot be done and none of the results issued in the media show a comparison with 5 yr years ago. It is in fact a new constituency and therefore cannot be compared with previous elections. Also, the Green Party contested for the first time. As regards the local elections, that was three years ago. Legitimate questions can be asked regarding Labours performance in the area such as; what happened to Labours 1992 vote? Who lost that?
Regarding Labours performance last thursday, the fact is that the Labour vote was down in 19 constituencies across the country. Picking at McGarry is the antics of schoolboy immaturity that is best left on the bar stools and to those who spend their lives nit picking and doing little else.

by P. K Lynch Sun May 27, 2007 20:32

Labours vote is down in a lot of constituencies.

Carlow/Kilkenny dropped by around 30% as did Donegal NE, Dublin North, Dun Laoghaire.

Dublin North Central, Clare, Kerry North dropped by well over 50% as well.

Labour also dropped in Dublin NE, Kildare North, Laois/Offaly, and on and on.

I suppose this is all McGarrys fault too?

Some very amaturish opinion posing as fact here i have to say. Indicitive of the bad blood after the fued between McGarry and Bree. What Bree supporters fail to see is that Declan Bree would have done no better. He would have maybe gotten Cakes town vote had he not run as a Green. But Cakes 1000 odd rural votes would have gone back to FF or FG, they where not protest votes at the McGarry candidacy.

Labour polled badly in a lot of constituencies and gained in others. FF and FG squeezed everyone in the smaller constituencies like Sligo North/Leitrim. FF FG hoovered up Harkins vote with no-one other than them getting a bounce as a result of her getting comfy in that big expensive leather chair in Brussels.

Sligo North Leitrim is also a smaller constituency now than is was 5 yrs ago and there was the Green candidate which presented a new novelty vote for Green leaning constituents.

All serious minded Labour politicos will view McGarrys result as a disappointment along with the results in nearly half of all the constituencies nation wide. Only spiteful self serving gombeens will view it as a vindication of Declan Bree.

Labour are in a better position to react to this poor result than they would have been had Bree polled the exact the same (and he most likely would have)

They no-longer have his heavy hand around the parties throat and can foster new younger better candidates, the likes of which would have been stifled under Bree. For this reason alone Labour where lucky they polled badly under McGarry rather than Bree for at least now they can do something about it.

by B. Filane Sun May 27, 2007 20:38

How could poor McGarry be expected to do any better.

Even before the election was called Rabbittes advisors in Dublin realised they had been sold a pup and they faced up to the fact that McGarry’s and McCarrick’s organisation in Sligo was going nowhere.

In true opportunistic fashion they abandoned McGarry and his crew to the wolves with the hope that he would sweep up a few preference votes for the Blueshirts.

And Rabbitte certainly didn’t waste any of his time campaigning for McGarry.
(During the entire four month campaign Rabbitte spent just one and a half hours – from 9.00.a.m. to 10.30.a.m. on a Saturday morning with McGarry in Sligo. What a joke!)

by P. K Lynch Sun May 27, 2007 21:17

McGarry served his purpose and that was to facilitate the removal of Bree and his bunch of cronies from Labour in Sligo.

I would imagine Declan is fuming that he got out-smarted and couldn't really capitalise politically out of this as hard as he tried. I know he is angry being forced to see out his political carreer as a local cllr with no power and even less of a profile. But that's politics.

by Geraldine SD Sun May 27, 2007 22:25

I have just read the material on this thread. Most of it appears to be about McGarry rather than Bree.

According to the guy called Max, the Labour candidate in Sligo Leitrim did not turn up at the count and deserted his supporters. Could this be true or is it just another dirty allegation to damage McGarry?

Can Union member or JK Lynch please let us know if this is true?

by P. K Lynch Sun May 27, 2007 22:57

Who cares if he didnt show up, its not like he walked into a restaurant with an Uzi and emptied the clip. Its no big deal in the scheme of things and under the circumstances it won't matter a jot for Labour in Sligo in the long run.

McGarry served a purpose, he may not even stay in Labour after a such a bad day at the office for Labour in many counts. McGarry used Labour and Labour used McGarry and who knows he might have swung a decent poll. It was a gamble designed around getting Bree out without giving him a publicity coup he could use for his own political advantage. It worked a treat. Bree is now in the wilderness and Labour in sligo is back under the control of the membership.

Upwards and omwards.

by B. Filane Mon May 28, 2007 00:10

As I said earlier Labour in Sligo is well and truly f**ked. Everyone and anyone who could be described as left of centre have all resigned from the party over the past year.

Despite his disastrous performance in the election the fact is that Jim McGarry, and his mate John McCarrick are now in total control of the rump that remains. The Labour Party is stuck with McGarry and as each year passes the party will become more and more aware of the liability he is.

I figure they deserve each other.

by P. K Lynch - Labour of Love Mon May 28, 2007 00:17

You're not listening are you? You're begining to sound like a broken record trotting out the same ole shite post after post after post.

McGarry is not in total control of Labour in Sligo, the members are having wrestled it from Bree. I know its hard for Bree supporters to come to terms with him getting gazumped but as I said thats politics.

Labour are now free to rejuvenate themselves. Something that could never have happened under Bree.

Deal with it.

by Geraldine SD Mon May 28, 2007 00:25

I could hardly believe my eyes when I read the response to my query about the allegation that McGarry deserted his supporters and did not turn up at the count

One of McGarrys supporters, pk Lynch said “Who cares if McGarry didn’t turn up to the count…. Its no big deal in the scheme of things..”. The other McGarry supporter, Union member, appears to be unwilling to comment

While I’m not familiar with the type of people who supported McGarrys election campaign the least they deserve from their leader is that he would turn up to stand side by side with them at the count.

I still feel it difficult to believe that he would desert his election workers at such a crucial time. Surly the Labour Party or his Director of Elections would not accept such behaviour. Can anyone clarify the issue?

by P. K Lynch Mon May 28, 2007 01:33

Round and round and round we go. Drop the Penelope Pitstop routine. This is politics and it ain't pretty.

Getting rid of Bree was always going to be a dirty business and I think it was done to perfection.

As for the calibre of the supporters of McGarry, Brees where much worse.

by Union member Mon May 28, 2007 08:44

I note that when a relevent question/point is posted on this issue there is a rush of sock puppetry with mainly irrelevent crap, obviously to push the relevent comments up the thread in the hope that they will be forgotten. I'll repreat the questions, Who lost the Labour vote that returned a seat in Sligo in the 90's? And perhaps more to the point, Why was the seat lost?
And once again, it is disengenuous to try to compare election 2007 with 2002. The constituency is now a new one. The comments here regarding McGarry are pure and simple spite. But the old guard will have to realise that there will be no return to the bad old days of Bree's olgarchic control.

by Geraldine SD Mon May 28, 2007 09:30

I have to admit that I know very little about Declan Bree or Jim McGarry – most of my knowledge on both of them comes from the internet. I would say further that some of the postings about both of them have been disgraceful.

But I must say in all honesty that it is unheard of for a candidate to desert his election workers on the day of a count.

I note that Mr McGarrys supporters on this thread are refusing to confirm or deny if he turned up for the count. Can Max K offer any evidence in support of his allegation?

by Union member Mon May 28, 2007 10:02

Answer the question Declan; Who lost the seat winning Labour Vote that was in the area? And why?

by Worker Mon May 28, 2007 10:09

Could Geraldine SD explain to us why it is of such importance to her to establish if McGarry did or did not turn up at the count? She must live a very sheltered life if that is the only concern she has given the outcome.

by Max K Mon May 28, 2007 11:06

Geraldine

While I wasn’t at the count I have been told by a number of people of different political persuasions who were present, that Jim McGarry didn’t turn up

It was also confirmed on local radio (Ocean FM) because some people were phoning in accusing the radio of failing to interview McGarry. I did hear his Director of Elections, John McCarrick of SIPTU on the radio. I expect that the matter will be mentioned in the local papers this week.

Don’t be surprised at the behaviour of McGarry’s supporters on this and similar threads. They could never accept the reality that they were going nowhere and after last weeks performance they are becoming more frustrated and embittered.

(I see that they are now taking a dig at you)

by P.K Lynch Mon May 28, 2007 11:30

We are Labour supporters, not staunch McGarry supporters. That is something that Bree could never understand as he was wrapped up in the cult of personality and convinced himself he was bigger and more important than the Party. That is why he had to go.

We supported McGarry because he was the candidate ratified democratically and he helped facilitate the marginalisation of Bree and pushed him out without any major political capital he could use to help him run as an independent. As it turned out he hadn't the balls to run anyway. Hardly surprising.

But it is interesting to note that if all these 'deadwoods' where resigning en masse in support of Declan, surely that would be reflected in Cakes vote or indeed Sean MacManus' vote in Sligo Town. Or better still surely Bree would have run as an independent secure in the knowledge that he had such loyal and resilient support?

Fact is McGarry didn’t lose votes as a protest over Bree. He lost votes because people in Sligo ran for cover and wanted to ‘protect’ their economic interests by voting for FF and FG in much higher numbers than before.

Bree had he been ratified as a Labour candidate would have done no better.

And speaking of becoming more frustrated and embittered, who is raising the paltry semantic issue of whether Jimmy turned up at the polling station. In the scheme of things that is a rather petty swipe and a far greater illustration of what could be considered frustrated and embittered.

And as for this gem.
“They could never accept the reality that they were going nowhere”

Labour has plenty of options for going forward. Bree has none.

I think you’ll find its him who’s going nowhere.

by Union member Mon May 28, 2007 13:22

Max K claims,

"It was also confirmed on local radio (Ocean FM) because some people were phoning in accusing the radio of failing to interview McGarry."

Just checked with Oceanfm, they received no such complaints or comments. Further they confirm that it is not unusual for candidates to refuse to give an interview at the count centre.

by Max K Mon May 28, 2007 13:37

Union member is telling more stories. He's typical of McGarrys supporters. Union member know that McGarry didn't turn up at the count.

On the afternoon of the count Mr Niall Delaney speaking live from the count centre on Ocean FM said that he had received complaints about Jim McGarry not being interviewed. Niall Delaney pointed out on air that it wasn’t the fault of Ocean FM as Jim McGarry was not present at the count.

I would recommend that Geraldine contact Niall Delaney directly if she wants the truth.

by P.K Lynch Mon May 28, 2007 14:16

Max are you actually talking to yourself?

Its as clear as day the sock-puppetry at work here. Ocean FM has confirmed that they received no complaints from anyone, either a member of the public, a campaign director, a candidate or an elected representative about any lack of interview coverage with any of the candidates.

Max is creating an issue out of nothing to deflect the very real questions asked of Declan Bree on this thread. Namely who was responsible for losing the Labour Seat in 97 and for presiding over the continued drop in Labour votes in the constituency in every General Election since?

The Labour Party are now in a position to effect the change it could never do while that gruff old stalinist ran the Party into the ground.

Whether or not McGarry turned up to the count is not an issue for anyone so its extraordinary that you and you alone (with your merry band of sock-puppets) are hung up on it. Demonstrates perfect how weak your critisms are when this is all you can cling on to.

Have fun out in limbo.

by Leftwatch Mon May 28, 2007 14:21

This thread has descended into meaningless drival. That explains why the area returned three right-wingers. Two of them are from the same small town for christ sake and all that concerns the local pundits is did a candidate get an interview on local radio?

The place is a political wasteland.

by Union member Mon May 28, 2007 16:45

"The place is a political wasteland" says Leftwatch.The point is that this is what Labour is trying to change. Labour persevered with Bree for too long. He was given every opportunity to recover the seat he lost but failed.
What he shouild have done was accepted that fact and rowed in behind the new chosen candidate. Instead of doing that ,he set about doing the work of FF and FG, attacking the Labour candidate at every hands turn.
As a life long Labour supporter my stomach turns everytime I am reminded that I voted for this quisling on many occasions although I was never convinced that his membership of the party was in the interests of local workers. I accepted the democratic decisions of the party and got behind him. How right I and many others proved to be in the end. And as this thread proves, he is a traitor to the Labour cause. He has done more damage to the left in Sligo than FF or FG could have even dreamed about.
Labour will rebuild the local party and it will recover the votes that elected a left seat, of that Bree and his band of "revolutionaries" can be sure.

by Geraldine SD Mon May 28, 2007 17:46

The last thing I want to do is get involved in a slagging match.

I asked a simple question because my grandfather was involved in politics for a life time and took part in so many election campaigns.(for Fianna Fail unfortunately)
I recollect going to a count with him and I remember him pointing out all the candidates to me as they stood around the hall with their respective groups of supporters. I asked why these candidates who were defeated came to the hall and stayed there and he said it was because they were proud of their political party and proud to stand by their principles, win or lose.

I just find it difficult to believe that any candidate would desert his or her election workers at a count and I think if an allegation is made against the Labour candidate in Sligo - that he did not turn up for the count, the said allegation should be substantiated.

by B. Filane Mon May 28, 2007 18:11

Union member and PK Lynch are totally pi**ed off.

Not only has McGarry failed to deliver – he left both of them standing at the count like spare pric*s.

To make matters worse McGarry and McCarrick now totally control the rump of what is left of labour in Sligo. Rabbitte has a lot to answer for.

And P.K Lynch says “All serious minded Labour politicos will view McGarrys result as a disappointment” !!!!

by Union member Mon May 28, 2007 18:33

Getting touchy, Declan. Get used to it, we are moving on and we will rebuild the support base here in Sligo that you and you alone f**ked up.

I am still amazed that given the outcome of the general election that a person who apparently is seeped in Labour politics is concerned with a story that McGarry did not turn up at the count centre. Would such a supporter not think that to concentrate on the future might be a better use of her time and particularly as the present attempts to form a government suggest that the life of the cobbled together FF/PD/IND administaration may have a very short life. But then there's no accounting for the priorities of Bree. Nit picking and name calling are the order of the day. No substance whatever.