FINE GAEL has withdrawn an instruction to its county councillors to block Independent candidates for the presidency, a move that could open up the election field to new entrants at a late stage.
Party strategists believe Gay Mitchell’s chances of winning can be maximised if a larger number of diverse candidates stand in the election and their second preferences go to Fine Gael in later counts.
This approach represents a significant shift from that taken earlier in the year, when Fine Gael strenuously blocked attempts by the then frontrunner, Independent Senator David Norris, to secure a nomination from county councils.
While the party was successful in blocking Mr Norris, strategists were forced into a rethink after its approach was widely criticised as inflexible and undemocratic. Then, after Fine Gael chose its candidate, MEP Gay Mitchell, in July, he pressed for a lifting of the instruction to councillors to block nominations for Independent candidates.
Mr Mitchell’s spokesman yesterday described the block as “foolish from the word go”.
The latest opinion poll shows Mr Mitchell trailing 12 per cent behind Labour’s Michael D Higgins and only marginally ahead of the two Independent candidates, Dragons’ Den panellist Seán Gallagher and Special Olympics founder Mary Davis.
The party’s change of heart could facilitate a re-entry into the race of Mr Norris, though the closing date for nominations is just three weeks away. Fine Gael controls about 20 of the 34 city and county councils that can make presidential nominations.
Mr Norris is expected to say whether he plans to relaunch his campaign upon returning to Ireland this weekend. He withdrew at the end of July after controversy over representations he made in a rape case in Israel. An online campaign set up this week calling for his return to the contest has drawn 7,000 signatures.
Would-be candidates for the presidency need the support of 20 Oireachtas members or four county councils, a requirement that militates against Independents, who cannot rely on the electoral strength of the established parties.
Earlier this year, Mr Norris addressed several councils but got the support of only one, largely due to a whip by Fine Gael on its councillors to oppose his nomination. Fine Gael mayor of Galway City Council Hildegarde Naughton even used her casting vote to stop Mr Norris from addressing the meeting, though she later said she made a mistake.
Fine Gael members on a number of councils also voted against Mr Gallagher in his quest for a nomination.
However, at three separate council meetings this week, the Fine Gael whip stated its councillors would not be opposing the nomination of an Independent candidate and had been given a free vote by headquarters.
In Sligo, Fine Gael councillors abstained as their colleagues voted to nominate Ms Davis. In Meath, they also abstained as the council nominated Mr Gallagher. In Galway county, three Fine Gael councillors actually voted for Ms Davis, while the party’s councillors in Leitrim joined with others in giving Mr Gallagher unanimous support.
Councillors in Cork city also voted this week to support Mr Gallagher, with Fine Gael members abstaining, though the formal decision will not be taken until tonight.
Labour’s Michael D Higgins remains the frontrunner, according to a poll published yesterday. The Paddy Power/Red C poll puts him on 36 per cent of first preferences, with Mr Mitchell on 24 per cent. Mr Gallagher and Ms Davis are on 21 per cent and 19 per cent respectively.