Not since 1982 and the heady early days of the Garret FitzGerald led Fine Gael-Labour coalition, has Fine Gael won two seats in Galway West, but could a ticket of Padraic McCormack, Padraig Conneely, and Fidelma Healy Eames next time out do it?
Speculation was rife this week that Fine Gael Galway West TD Padraic McCormack would be standing down before the next General Election. However such talk has proven to be way off the mark.
The Renmore based TD has no intention of quitting politics any time soon as is determined to fly the flag for the Blueshirts at the next election.
“He’s definitely not standing down,” his colleague Cllr Brian Walsh told the Galway Advertiser this week. “We were talking about it and there is no issue of him resigning. It’s all systems go for Padraic. He intends to continue on and be a candidate at the next General Election.”
Fine Gael traditionally run three candidates in five seat Galway West with the hope of getting two seats - something they only managed in 1982. So who might Dep McCormack’s potential running mates be?
It may be very early to ask such a question - particularly as we have not even had the local elections yet - but politicians don’t think that way. In terms of survival they have to take the long view. Furthermore, given the unpopularity of the current administration, a general election may come sooner than we think.
It is highly unlikely there will be an election this year or next, but for the first time in maybe 15 years it is quite conceivable that a Government may not be calling an election in accordance with its own wishes and timetable.
As such, certain minds in FG, as in the other parties will be thinking with this in mind. Sen Fidelma Healy Eames ran in 2002 and 2007. Given her rapacious appetite and unquenchable thirst for political advancement, it would be no surprise to see her on the ticket next time out.
Dep McCormack would cover the city, Sen Healy Eames the Oranmore/Headford area, but who would take Connemara? Step forward the Mayor of Galway Cllr Padraic Conneely.
Cllr Conneely is originally from Clifden (where there is a strong Fine Gael vote ) and his maverick nature could see him appeal to a wider base in the region outside of those who don the blue. Furthermore his reputation precedes him and may appeal to the mildly ‘agin the Government’ voter. That and he would also take a good vote in the city.
Could Mayor Conneely be the man to help Fine Gael take two seats whenever the next General Election is called?
