Tonight's meeting between Fianna Fáil TDs will be to decide upon the continuing leadership of Brian Cowen. This meeting will be the 5th time in 83 years that a leader of the party has faced a challenge to his position. Tonight's vote differs from previous years for two main reasons. Firstly, it is the first time a motion of confidence has been put down by its leader has been put down by the party leader, as opposed to a motion of no confidence. Secondly, although not the first time, it will be a secret ballet.
"We are in a fight and we need a fighter to lead Fianna Fáil into the general election. The question is: who is best equipped to lead that fight?" (Cowen)
Cowen's decision to table a motion of confidence in his own leadership and to make it a secret ballet shows his confidence that he is "best equipped to lead that fight" and the majority of party's 71 TDs are behind his leadership. Many TDs have disclosed that they will be voting in his favour in tonight's election. As of last night, only 12 TDs said they will be voting against the motion and still 22 TDs that have not spoken on their intentions.
Micháel Martin is the only senior Minister that said he is voting against the motion. He believes the election will "go to the wire." As the vote will be taken in a secret ballet, the intentions of many TDs can not be fully relied upon.
Till tonight....
No comments:
Post a Comment