OUTSPOKEN local MLA Phil Flanagan could be paying the price for a number of well-publicised gaffes after his Sinn Fein colleagues decided not to select him to stand in next May’s Stormont elections.
Still only 31 and at one stage seen as a young politician with a promising future, Phil Flanagan was elected to the Assembly in 2011.
However at a meeting at the Donn Carragh on Sunday evening, Sinn Fein delegates from across Fermanagh South Tyrone voted against re-selecting Mr Flanagan to run next year. In a surprise move they opted instead for Belleek councillor John Feely who is a relative newcomer to politics having been elected to the council for the first time last year.
While his Sinn Fein colleagues, including fellow MLA Sean Lynch, have commended Mr Flanagan for his work as MLA, it is thought that the a succession of social media gaffes may have gone some way to scuppering his electoral ambitions.
Mr Flanagan came in for criticism when on social media he referred to the unionist village of Clabby as a ‘black hole’, later insisting that he was referring to its broadband coverage. He also came under fire for lewd remarks he retweeted about the Duchess of Cambridge and more recently was involved in a war of words with alleged IRA rape victim Mairia Cahill.
While the Lisnaskea delegates’s decision will have to be ratified by the party leadership, Sinn Fein’s three candidates next May will almost certainly be Mr Feely, sitting MLA Sean Lynch and former MP Michelle Gildernew.
While sitting MLA Bronwyn McGahan decided not to stand again, it was widely expected that Ms Gildernew would be given an opportunity to get back into politics after her surprise defeat in May’s Westminster elections.
While Gildernew’s return following her shock defeat in May’s Westminster election and Feely’s rise from local councillor to Assembly candidate in the space of 18 months are notable talking points, it is Flanagan’s deselection, which has grabbed the most attention.
The former small business owner, who now lives in Tempo, was elected to the assembly in 2011, having previously served time as a councillor.
Speaking on Tuesday following his selection as one of three Sinn Fein election candidates Sean Lynch paid tribute to Mr Flanagan. “I would have worked closely with Phil over the past four and a half years in what was called the ‘Fermanagh room’ at the Assembly. He was a very active and able MLA and I would like to thank him for all the work he has done.”
Mr Lynch said he shared Mr Flanagan’s disappointment at his deselection, but stated he was “confident” he “still has a role to play in the movement”.
At Sunday’s selection convention more than 140 delegates from Fermanagh and South Tyrone made their choice via secret ballot. Nominations closed on Thursday past, with four candidates; Sean Lynch, Michelle Gildernew, John Feely and Phil Flanagan vying for three positions. Each was given an opportunity to lobby members and then the votes were cast by the delegates and the decision made. The selections however still have to be ratified by Sinn Fein’s Ard Chomairle.
Erne East Sinn Fein councillor Thomas O’Reilly was one of the delegates at the convention and said there were “four very strong candidates”, but ultimately only three could go forward. Mr O’Reilly said delegates had been “inspired” by John Feely’s words and decided to give him an opportunity.
“People were inspired by the way John had spoken, had conducted himself since he became a councillor and obviously people then were inclined to vote and give John an opportunity. It is about a team effort and I know that Phil at the convention said no matter who got selected for the posts he would be part of team Sinn Fein to carry on the work that has been undertaken.”
He commended Mr Flanagan on his work over the past four years.
“Phil has done a tremendous job over the four years and certainly has been a very outspoken and hard-working MLA that has delivered for the people and I’m sure he will continue in a different capacity to deliver for the people.”
Even without the experience of Mr Flanagan on their team Mr Lynch said he was looking forward to working with Michelle Gildernew and John Feely and was confident of retaining the three Assembly seats in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
“I look forward to working with the two colleagues. I have worked with John since 1999 and he has been long time activist with Sinn Fein and proved to be a very able and articulate councillor.”
Despite numerous attempts to contact them neither Ms Gildernew or Cllr Feely returned calls to comment on their selection. Mr Flanagan said he would not be making any comment until the Fermanagh and South Tyrone selections were ratified by Sinn Fein’s Ard Chomhairle.
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