It is not just Fianna Fáil that wants to make a comeback in Galway City West, Labour are also determined to regain a seat here in the 2009 Local Elections.
In the 2004 local elections, Fianna Fáil suffered the ignominy of being the only one of the ‘Big Three’ (FF, FG, and Labour ) to fail to win a seat in each ward. However Labour ended up in a similar position when Cllr Catherine Connolly quit the party in 2007 to go Independent.
With the next local elections less than 10 months away, both parties are determined that come June 2009 they will have a seat each on the Galway City Council wards. While Fianna Fáil still searching for the ‘right man for the job’, Labour has settled on running one candidate in the ward.
With Galway City West increased from a four seater to a five, Labour and Fianna Fáil know their chances of a comeback here have improved greatly. However, choosing the right candidate and the right strategy is essential.
It is understood that Labour was thinking of running two candidates. However Galway City West is a very middle class area full of ‘leafy suburbs’ and, with Catherine Connolly and Niall Ó Brolcháin already in the ward, there may not be a large enough Left/liberal vote to see three left-leaning candidates through.
As such Labour will not be keen to crowd the constituency and blow what is a real chance for them to regain the seat. As such they will run just one candidate.
It is understood that Labour will be running two candidates in Galway City Central. The sitting Labour councillors here are Billy Cameron and Colette Connolly. In the six seat Galway City East ward, the party will run three candidates. The sitting councillor here is former Mayor Tom Costello.
