The Last of the Ideologues
The slow funeral march reached its end today as the Progressive Democrats finally decided to bring the party to an end. The result is hardly unexpected, the party has barely clung to life since it’s vanquishing from the national scene during the 2007 General Election. A seemingly intense leadership battle between Fiona O’Malley and Ciaran Cannon ultimately amounted to a rather farcical affair as Cannon failed to rally the troops and make some respectable attempt at becoming a functioning political entity once more and campaigning in the 2009 Local and European elections.
Personally I will miss the robust vision of numerous PD representatives who contributed much to the economic planning within the previous two coalitions, allowing a revolution in foreign direct investment and internal growth during those prosperous years. I would imagine Mary Harney shall see out her term as Minister for Health as an Independent before retiring from the Dáil, perhaps making the politically difficult decisions of where cuts must be made in these challenging times. Shall it be long before another party, moulded in a similar fashion, rises to take a position within national politics similar to that of the PD’s? Declan Ganley’s proposed pan-European party of Libertas may attract some supporters of similar sentiments. Really though I won’t hold my breath for the launching of a dynamic new party within the State, history doesn’t appear to be kind towards much innovation in Irish politics.
Progressive Democrats – Requiescat in Pace
Tags: Ciaran Cannon, Mary Harney, Political Parties, Progressive Democrats
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