O'Cuiv resigns - FF split on the cards?

So, Eamon O' Cuiv has resigned as FF Deputy Leader and frontbencher over the fiscal treaty, but won't be formally expelled from the party until the bill goes before the Dáil. It must be remembered that Dev Óg came second to Martin in the leadership, and he would command a level of support in rural Ireland, so could we ultimately see a repeat of 1926, with a De Valera leading his followers out and establishing his own political party? He's going on Vincent Browne tonight, so crack open the popcorn.

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Originally Posted by culloty82

could we ultimately see a repeat of 1926, with a De Valera leading his followers out and establishing his own political party?

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I don't think O Cuiv commands quite the same level of respect as Dev! I could see O Cuiv joining up with a new right-wing party in the future rather than shaming his family by jumping to FG, but he'll probably just serve his time as an independent and then rejoin FF in a couple of years.

Roll on VB

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

I don't think O Cuiv commands quite the same level of respect as Dev! I could see O Cuiv joining up with a new right-wing party in the future rather than shaming his family by jumping to FG, but he'll probably just serve his time as an independent and then rejoin FF in a couple of years.

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As soon as Sinn Fein get a whiff of power they'll drop their faux-socialism.

They're at 26% now.

O'Cuiv to join up sometime around the 100th anniversary of the Rising?

He's just another FFer who can't get to grips with being in opposition. He's being sniping away at his party for the past year, eventually it was going to come to a head.

He isn't going to set up a new party, unless every member is a fluent Irish speaker. So that's that gone then.

If this is the start of the death rattle off FF long may it continue.

It was however a little disconcerting to listen to the texts read out on VB that showed support for Dev Óg's stance.

The memory of the people is very short.

Another split in the FF gene pool. Any chance the PDs come back?

As if there's any difference between all the FF/FG heads bar history...

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

If this is the start of the death rattle off FF long may it continue.

It was however a little disconcerting to listen to the texts read out on VB that showed support for Dev Óg's stance.

The memory of the people is very short.

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I think it'll take a little more than crippling the country for generations and severing all links with the party's founder and ethos to kill Fianna Fail. An atomic bomb might not be sufficient.

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Originally Posted by Dodge

Another split in the FF gene pool. Any chance the PDs come back?

As if there's any difference between all the FF/FG heads bar history...

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O Cuiv is a snake but he would have nothing to do with the PDs. I think he's going to wait until he's welcome back to FF, but the only splinter party he'd join would be a socially conservative party with a rural base, in other words the antithesis of the PDs.

He'll challenge conehead for the FF leadership, imo. I don't see a split. Not sure it'll do FF much good, as he was pathetic on Pat Kenny this morning - he was only short of using the auld Lehmans defence when washing his hands of the blanket guarantee that he was sat around cabinet for. Tried to say it was only short term, ignoring that he voted for extended it! I think O'Cuiv appeals to a certain demographic - unfortunately for FF, I think it's just the same one that stuck with them regardless. He might get them back up to 18%...

I hear the likes of O'Donoghue will be looking to contest the next election. I don't trust the electorate and would not be surprised if people would vote FF again.

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Originally Posted by born2bwild

As soon as Sinn Fein get a whiff of power they'll drop their faux-socialism.

They're at 26% now.

O'Cuiv to join up sometime around the 100th anniversary of the Rising?

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Is they were given a chance and were to as you say, where will people turn? I don't see the creation of a new party being the answer for anything, definitely not a party patched up with members of FF.

I could not take Martin seriously yesterday when he was on about supporting the treaty and the measures it's calling for. His government delivered some terrible budgets, if there was need for a fiscal watchdog, it was required for his government. I'm enjoying this FF split and spat. They've no choice really but to support the referendum. If they were to go against it, they'd be in a worse position.

legendz, please use multi-quote.

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Originally Posted by legendz

I could not take Martin seriously yesterday when he was on about supporting the treaty and the measures it's calling for. His government delivered some terrible budgets, if there was need for a fiscal watchdog, it was required for his government. I'm enjoying this FF split and spat. They've no choice really but to support the referendum. If they were to go against it, they'd be in a worse position.

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This is FF's basic problem. How can they actually oppose much of the policies that this Government is doing, considering they're working within an agreement that Martin, O'Cuiv etc were part of. Some FF chopper was on one of the lunchtimes news was calling for Dara Calleary to be made leader, as he thought he was somehow untainted - yes, that is former Minister for State in the last Government Dara Calleary.

The country and FF would've been better going to the country over the Guarantee. At least FF have to suffer along with the rest of us for them failing to be democratic.

So, O'Cuiv has announced he will be campaigning for a No vote - surely Martin has to expel him from the party to maintain his authority?

He's been making eyes at the shinners too, so whether that his exit strategy or a direct challenge to Martin I don't know. I think FF changed their voting rules at their last conference to one member one vote, so imo that'd put O'Cuiv in with a shot I'd say if it came to a challenge. Not sure how he'd force the vote though.

O'Cuiv opposed the first Nice referendum and voted against it. He's still around.

Along with madcap ideas such as "rebranding" FF, this is his way of getting himself noticed, as FF are an irrelevance on the current Irish political scene.