Former Labour Party chairman Colm Keaveney to join Fianna Fáil

http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1203/490600-colm-keaveney-fianna-fail/

Fianna Fáil has confirmed that Galway East TD Colm Keaveney has applied to join the party.
He will be introduced to TDs and Senators at a meeting of the parliamentary party later today.
Mr Keaveney lost the Labour whip in 2012 when he voted against Budget cuts.

https://twitter.com/Colm_Keaveney

Forsitan et nostrum nomen miscebitur istis - Audentis Fortuna iuvat! (h/t Ovid & Virgil)

You might also be mingled with those of us the name of the - Fortune favors the brave! (h / t Horace and Virgil)

Is this a visionary move by Keaveney to set himself up as a leader in a resurgent FF?

I don't see him being a good fit with the current leadership of Micheál Martin or someone like Éamon Ó Cuív.

Google returns a rather unfortunate image when you search his name:

raymon

"Fianna Fáil is constantly referenced in the (Mahon) report, which bears testimony to the corrosive and destructive nature of Irish politics as a consequence of the effect that Fianna Fail has had on Irish politics down through the years. This rampant corruption of many of Fianna Fáil’s members and public representatives is part of the philosophy of tolerance that existed within that party."

The words of Colm Keaveney. 12 June 2012

Good luck with the new move Colm.

mikom

What a pro..........

FTA69

Typical careerist nonsense and indicative of much of what's wrong with Irish politics. I don't have much time for Russell Brand, but he was right when he pointed out that an entire generation has become disillusioned with politics due to it being generally presided over by a self-serving political class. Stuff like this just reinforces that for most people.

Sir Humphrey Appleby

Looks like a rat deserting one sinking ship by climbing aboard a toxic wreck!

raymon

Is his wife still getting 52,000 as his assistant ?

Good man , better get your FF moustache a twitching.

n97 mini

Champagne socialist of the worst type. Tweeting from the golf course on a Tuesday from his iPhone and a week later the social welfare cuts debacle. You can't have it every way Colm.

Taxburden carrier

The words "frying pan & fire " spring to mind. Spring.....no, not going there again.

renegademaster

there really needs to be riots across the country when fianna fail get back into power, "democratically" elected or not!!

CFlat

In every walk of life people move jobs. Bitch about the opposition one day until the opposition offers them better terms, conditions etc and jump ship. I've no problem with that.

What scares the bejaysus out of me is is he joining FF cause he thinks they are going to be back in power at the next GE? Surely we have longer memories than that? If that does happen, I'm handing in my Irish Citizenship and posting my vote back to the County Council.

Sierra Oscar

This should come as no surprise to anyone. Labour party members have been abandoning the party to join Fianna Fáil in recent months. It was only a matter of time before a high profile figure such as Colm joined Fianna Fáil.

I suspect he may not be the last either, it would not surprise me if we see a string of these announcements in the coming months.

Zzippy

"It is Fianna Fail that has inflicted immense damage on our economy and on our public finances – damage that may take years to repair – and it is time for them to go. " — Colm Keaveney, 2010.

raymon

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

This should come as no surprise to anyone. Labour party members have been abandoning the party to join Fianna Fáil in recent months. It was only a matter of time before a high profile figure such as Colm joined Fianna Fáil.

I suspect he may not be the last either, it would not surprise me if we see a string of these announcements in the coming months.

How is your party taking the news ?

Willie didn't seem too happy. Must have been the " FF moustache twitching " comment Keaveney made recently.

FTA69

CFlat wrote: »

In every walk of life people move jobs. Bitch about the opposition one day until the opposition offers them better terms, conditions etc and jump ship. I've no problem with that.

People should be in politics because they want to serve society, not serve themselves with "better terms and conditions." Keaveney's move shows a complete lack of political principle, and a naked self-interest for careerism as opposed to any genuine wish to impact Irish politics in any meaningful sense. In other words, when someone says "they're all the same" in regards to Irish politicians, they aren't far off the mark.

The problem lies in the fact that Irish people are completely disempowered when it comes to politics; in effect we're told that the only participation we should have is to tick a box next to some cardboard-cut-out eejit every five years. As a result, we get supposedly national politicians who only care about localism and saving their own seat as opposed to anything resembling national politics. Say what you want about Joe Higgins or even the likes of McDowell; at least they articulated and represented a certain vision for Ireland and how it should be run.

Keaveney on the other hand, represents the majority of politicians who are simply up to their necks in gombeenism.

Sierra Oscar

raymon wrote: »

How is your party taking the news ?

Willie didn't seem too happy. Must have been the " FF moustache twitching " comment Keaveney made recently.

I'm not too sure really, I suspect that most members will be welcoming.

FTA69 wrote: »

Keaveney on the other hand, represents the majority of politicians who are simply up to their necks in gombeenism.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out for Colm. People were singing his praises when he left the Labour party!

Loafing Oaf

CFlat wrote: »

In every walk of life people move jobs. Bitch about the opposition one day until the opposition offers them better terms, conditions etc and jump ship. I've no problem with that.

What scares the bejaysus out of me is is he joining FF cause he thinks they are going to be back in power at the next GE?

Well first and foremost it's about keeping his seat and to that end it's probably a shrewd move. Not yet clear if Miheal Kitt is going to run in Galway East but even if he does Keaveney is in with a decent shout of taking a seat for the party, whereas he'd have virtually none running as an independent or for some 'new left' party.

FTA69

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out for Colm. People were singing his praises when he left the Labour party!

Hopefully he'll end up out of politics where he belongs. He clearly hasn't an ounce of political principle.

Knob Longman

A turncoat, Something very smarmy about him, Reminds me of Michael McGrath.

Duckworth_Luas

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

Well first and foremost it's about keeping his seat and to that end it's probably a shrewd move. Not yet clear if Miheal Kitt is going to run in Galway East but even if he does Keaveney is in with a decent shout of taking a seat for the party, whereas he'd have virtually none running as an independent or for some 'new left' party.

Independent says Keaveney will run in the new Roscommon-Galway constituency

Irish Independent wrote:

Mr Keaveney will be the Fianna Fáil candidate in the next general election in the newly conference Galway East-Roscommon South constituency.

This constituency consists of all Co Roscommon and only 35 EDs from the old Galway East. Roscommon independents Denis Naughten and Ming Flanagan will hold their seats. The third will almost definitely go to a candidate from north Roscommon, probably Frank Feighan of Fine Gael, as the hospital closure is not a big issue in that area.

hungry hippo 4

He will still get plenty of votes wait and see.

Call Me Jimmy

A couple of quotes from him about FF that are not pretty, I know it's the job of a politician to u-turn but what way would he answer the impending questions? 'I've looked at the facts again and realise I was mistaken in claimin FF were ****. They made mistakes but they are the right party to take us forward going forward'?

For Reals

Its sad for everyone. I mean the man lambasted Fianna Fail, yet due to the fact that he can possibly bring a lot of votes the party HQ are more than happy to have him. If I were a FF member I'd in the least be a little pissed. Where is the party ideology or god forbid, self respect?
He is simply making the move before the almost certain rise of Fianna Fail back to power, as is the cycle. Fianna Fail make them and theirs money, the country suffers, FG and whoever fix it in the right wing disdain for the common folk way that they roll, then Fianna Fail come back with free Hot Wheels for the kids and the boys are back in town.

It shows political belief, at least amongst some politicians, to be a farce and as we all suspect, simply about votes, (votes=money & power).

Xenophile

I suppose your right Colm, Latin was not really appreciated within Labour.

Just wondering why you did not wait or at least give Lucinda and Peter Mathews a bell to get the lay of the land as to how things were shaping up in their effort to set up a new party.

So there's a place now where your Latin might be better appreciated.

The best of luck anyway in your efforts to serve the people well, although I believe that many of your policies and view of the current situation is misguided.

Mr.Micro

Knob Longman wrote: »

A turncoat, Something very smarmy about him, Reminds me of Michael McGrath.

Showing his true colours. He was not able to do the hard thing when it came to decisions and support Government in recent times. He will fit in well with FF, the party that is full of self serving individuals, full of hot air and little else.

Loafing Oaf

Duckworth_Luas wrote: »

Independent says Keaveney will run in the new Roscommon-Galway constituency



This constituency consists of all Co Roscommon and only 35 EDs from the old Galway East. Roscommon independents Denis Naughten and Ming Flanagan will hold their seats. The third will almost definitely go to a candidate from north Roscommon, probably Frank Feighan of Fine Gael, as the hospital closure is not a big issue in that area.

I think the Indo is getting its constituencies mixed up, everything else I've read indicates he will remain in Galway East.

Xenophile wrote: »

I suppose your right Colm, Latin was not really appreciated within Labour.

Just wondering why you did not wait or at least give Lucinda and Peter Mathews a bell to get the lay of the land as to how things were shaping up in their effort to set up a new party.

Cos he knows full well such fancy new movements don't stand a chance outside Dublin...

feargale

There are only two possible logical explanations:
1. He is attracted to Bertie's socialist legacy.
2. He is not attracted to the first item on the agenda of the new left party/grouping.

Agent Smith

Good luck to him getting elected.


he's going to be completely toxic when it comes to transfers

Silentcorner

This is a desperate act by two desperate parties...anyone with an ounce of integrity can see through this act of self preservation...

It merely underlines the urgent need for a new political force...who can possibly argue that case now?

I know a few people who have also left Labour in recent months...NONE of them have joined FF...mind you none of them were in it for the money.

take everything

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU7ZF8yyqBY

He also tweeted a while back that the only way he'd join FF is if it was on Charon's ferry (a Hades reference).

Seems like a naive but self-serving clown to me.
Neo-gombeenism.

Larbre34

How about audentis fortuna me b0llix.

In a country with a rich history of them, I have never seen a less credible political decison in my entire life.

Keaveney is a patronising waffler, an unprincipled spoofer. Expect him to be unseated by a shinner at the first opportunity.

I believe there's a Groupon deal for first class lounge seats on Charon's ferry if he's interested.

Xenophile

Agent Smith wrote: »

he's going to be completely toxic when it comes to transfers

I would agree!

Mr.Micro

Larbre34 wrote: »

How about audentis fortuna me b0llix.

In a country with a rich history of them, I have never seen a less credible political decison in my entire life.

Keaveney is a patronising waffler, an unprincipled spoofer. Expect him to be unseated by a shinner at the first opportunity.

I believe there's a Groupon deal for first class lounge seats on Charon's ferry if he's interested.

Let's face it, he can sit on the FF bench and he will not have go make any hard decisions, and not even be noticed.

ScumLord

Fair play to George, he gave Keavney some bollocking just there.

Dave!

I haven't seen such neck since Bertie at the Mahon tribunal. He'll fit right in.

raymon

ScumLord wrote: »

Fair play to George, he gave Keavney some bollocking just there.

George Hook just tore into him on Newstalk. Very entertaining.

TCDStudent1

ScumLord wrote: »

Fair play to George, he gave Keavney some bollocking just there.

They were both equally idiotic.

I dont know what Keaveney is thinking. I dont see the logic of it. I also read an interview with him not long after he resigned as Labour chair person where he strongly suggested he didnt want to run in the next GE but would prefer to work in Europe.

There will be one FF & one FG returned in the next GE in Galway East. Probably Kitt & Connaughton. So we are left with Keaveney (FF), Higgins (Lab) & Cannon FG to fight over the last place. It would be big big ask for Keaveney to poll ahead of those.

Annasopra

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

I'm not too sure really, I suspect that most members will be welcoming.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out for Colm. People were singing his praises when he left the Labour party!

FFers won't be singing his praises for long. Colm only cares Colm. He has no principles and would join FG or SF tomorrow if it offered him a safe seat.

TCDStudent1

mango salsa wrote: »

FFers won't be singing his praises for long. Colm only cares Colm. He has no principles and would join FG or SF tomorrow if it offered him a safe seat.

But the thing is, joining FF doesnt offer him a safe seat in Galway East. Far from it!

I am no Keaveney fan. But he probably had more chance of retaining his seat in Galway East by just keeping his mouth shut about the budget and staying with Labour.....

Annasopra

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

But the thing is, joining FF doesnt offer him a safe seat in Galway East. Far from it!

I am no Keaveney fan. But he probably had more chance of retaining his seat in Galway East by just keeping his mouth shut about the budget and staying with Labour.....

He's a political opportunist who speaks out of both sides of his mouth.

Colm stood for Labour Chair with the sole reason of saving his seat by trying to ensure he had no running mate.

Colm really is the worst kind of political opportunist and I feel sorry for many naive ffers that can't see that.

This is actually in a way quite tragic for Irish politics. Many many decent Irish politicians have 100 times the principles of Colm and many Irish people genuinely believed in him.

renegademaster

mango salsa wrote: »

He's a political opportunist who speaks out of both sides of his mouth.

Colm stood for Labour Chair with the sole reason of saving his seat by trying to ensure he had no running mate.

Colm really is the worst kind of political opportunist and I feel sorry for many naive ffers that can't see that.

This is actually in a way quite tragic for Irish politics. Many many decent Irish politicians have 100 times the principles of Colm and many Irish people genuinely believed in him.

FIANNA FAIL ARE NOT NIAVE, THEY LOVE THIS $hit

we are the naive ones who allow it by doing nothing which in turn gives these guys no boundaries as to how low they'll drag politics and democracy in general

we are all to blame for this, if Colm thought there would be very real consequences for sticking the 2 fingers up to his electorate and i don't mean just getting voted out, that itself is letting him away scot free also, he wouldn't even entertain the thought in the first place and would instead do only what is good for the people who elected him. end of

the world politicians are like bullies and bullies will always walk all over pussys

we are the pussys

TCDStudent1

mango salsa wrote: »

He's a political opportunist who speaks out of both sides of his mouth.

Colm stood for Labour Chair with the sole reason of saving his seat by trying to ensure he had no running mate.

Colm really is the worst kind of political opportunist and I feel sorry for many naive ffers that can't see that.

This is actually in a way quite tragic for Irish politics. Many many decent Irish politicians have 100 times the principles of Colm and many Irish people genuinely believed in him.

But in what way is this move opportunistic? I dont see him getting any opportunities from joining FF.

Despite what people are saying, it does NOT guarantee him a seat at the next election (a long way from it).

He left Labour.
He has always said he didnt believe in independents. In the run up to the last election, there was a very strong local independent candidate who was vying with Keaveney for a seat. Keaveney was very very emphatic about his opinions on how independents dont work.
Fine Gael arent really an option considering they are in coalition with Labour.

That leaves Fianna Fail or Sinn Fein.

So I dont see how this is opportunistic at all??? Joining Fianna Fail at the moment is hardly going to endear him to a lot of people!

I am not a fan of Keaveney, never have been. But some of the criticism he is getting on here seems unfair.

Dave!

According to Twitter, Keaveney is on Vincent Browne tonight! :eek:

yay

dats_right

Keaveney is nothing more than a low life rat. I sincerely hope that the good and sensible people of Galway East see this opportunistic, self-serving, unprincipled, morally corrupt, disreputable individual for exactly what he is and hurt him the only way he cares about at the ballot.

freyners

He'll get the same amount of votes he got from me last time

none

I saw somewhere that he felt FF match his own principals, good to know hes an populist, self serving coward so.

Spanish Johnny

TCDStudent1 wrote: »

But in what way is this move opportunistic? I dont see him getting any opportunities from joining FF.

Despite what people are saying, it does NOT guarantee him a seat at the next election (a long way from it).

He left Labour.
He has always said he didnt believe in independents. In the run up to the last election, there was a very strong local independent candidate who was vying with Keaveney for a seat. Keaveney was very very emphatic about his opinions on how independents dont work.
Fine Gael arent really an option considering they are in coalition with Labour.

That leaves Fianna Fail or Sinn Fein.

So I dont see how this is opportunistic at all??? Joining Fianna Fail at the moment is hardly going to endear him to a lot of people!

I am not a fan of Keaveney, never have been. But some of the criticism he is getting on here seems unfair.

Haha ya it's very unfair - poor Colm:rolleyes:

There is a guaranteed FF seat in Galway East. Absolute stonewall seat. Good chance Kitt does not stand again anyway. Keaveny as a sitting TD will be FF's main man.


What a disgrace. Both him and his new party.

TCDStudent1

Spanish Johnny wrote: »

Haha ya it's very unfair - poor Colm:rolleyes:

There is a guaranteed FF seat in Galway East. Absolute stonewall seat. Good chance Kitt does not stand again anyway. Keaveny as a sitting TD will be FF's main man.


What a disgrace. Both him and his new party.

But there isn't a guaranteed seat. That is the point!

There will be one FF seat in Galway East. But it is a long way from guaranteed that Keaveney will get that seat.....

Itssoeasy

Dave! wrote: »

According to Twitter, Keaveney is on Vincent Browne tonight! :eek:

yay

I hope he wears dark pants.

Busted Flat.

Itssoeasy wrote: »

I hope he wears dark pants.

Keavney can handle himself, it is Gimmmore that will have to bring the spare pair.

michael999999

Keaveney is all that is wrong with Irish politicians.

No principles, honour or backbone. Hes the perfect fit for that party of crooks he has joined!

Busted Flat.

michael999999 wrote: »

Keaveney is all that is wrong with Irish politicians.

No principles, honour or backbone. Hes the perfect fit for that party of crooks he has joined!

What backbone did the OF/SF/IRA, OF/SF/WP,OF/SF/DL, OF/SF/LP, have.
Double standards thrive in this little kip.

washman3

Spanish Johnny wrote: »

There is a guaranteed FF seat in Galway East. Absolute stonewall seat.

Says it all about the electorate in East Galway.:o
And says it all about Colm too.