Old Timer Senators arent shafting Micheál Martin – They are shafting ordinary members like me and you!
Before I start into this, I want to make it clear that I respect many if not all of our current Senators. They have gone out and batted for Fianna Fáil when times werent good and have worked their hardest for the most part for the party.
However, the time has come for a new generation of leadership to take centre stage in Fianna Fáil. The time has come for people who can redefine Fianna Fáil, for people who can win seats in the next General Election and give hope to the grassroots of Fianna Fáil.
Over the weekend of the last general election, I searched for an analogy to describe what had just happened to Fianna Fáil. This is what I came up with. ‘Imagine Fianna Fáil is a decent 2008 Lexus – still a decent motor but a bit bruised and a group of knackers steal it and joy ride it around an estate. They then decide to take part in a Drag Race where it gets crushed bad. Finally, they drive it the coast, pour petrol on it and set it alight. When the flames recede they attempt to push it off a cliff only to be stopped by the local Garda’
Fianna Fáil is on a precipice. We are on life support and how we face into the next 9-12 months will determine our future. Central to our renewal will be the calibre of our Oireachtas Team. Again, I stress my respect for the outgoing Seanad Team but we need a higher calibre of Senator if a) we are to survive as a party and b) make the Seanad relevant enough for it to be kept!
As such, I am emploring Fianna Fáil City and County Councillors to vote with their heads and not their hearts. Friendships are important but my generation needs Fianna Fáil to be strong, relevant and able for the long hard fight ahead.
