Candidates Sean Lynch, John Feely and Phil Flanagan bmcb 50
IN what has been yet another dramatic twist for the party locally, Sinn Fein have now chosen an all-male, all-Fermanagh ticket to contest the upcoming Assembly election in Fermanagh South Tyrone
This time around it was veteran Tyrone politician Michelle Gildernew’s turn to be sensationally deselected at what was a packed out re-run selection convention in Enniskillen at the weekend, with the popular former MP losing out to controversial local MLA Phil Flanagan, who has now been re-selected. Sunday night’s convention was the second time in a matter of weeks local Sinn Fein members took to the ballots to select their representatives for the Fermanagh/South Tyrone constituency. A previous selection in Lisnaskea in December saw Mr Flanagan MLA dramatically deselected, with members seemingly instead voting for Belleek Cllr John Feely, a relative political newcomer.
However, following reported complaints over voting irregularities at the December selection, a second ballot was held on Sunday. While only around 40 members had turned out at the Lisnaskea convention, around 150 were in attendance on Sunday. Some have speculated there was a poor turn-out from south Tyrone, which may have contributed to Ms Gildernew’s disappointing vote.
The proposed Sinn Fein ticket for the May election is now made up of sitting MLAs Sean Lynch and Phil Flanagan, and Cllr Feely. Both Ms Gildernew and Bronwyn McGahan MLA had also put their names forward but were not selected.
No media were allowed into Sunday nights convention, and so far Sinn Fein has been keeping tight-lipped on the twists and turns of the rocky start to this year’s election campaign.
A spokesman for the party locally said: “As it stands, the membership has selected the three candidates they wish to represent them in this year’s elections. The nominations will now go to the Ard Chomhairle for ratification. The party will not be making any further comment until the nominations are ratified.”
Cllr Feely was unavailable for comment but, speaking to the Herald, Mr Lynch MLA and Mr Flanagan MLA both paid tribute to Ms Gildernew and Ms McGahan.
Mr Lynch MLA said: “Michelle is a member of the Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle. She continues to work for Sinn Fein in a senior capacity and brings more than 25 years of experience, activism and commitment to her role.
“Bronwyn McGahan will serve out her term as an MLA for the constituency. Bronwyn has been a hard-working and committed public representative who has done much to improve the quality of life of people in the constituency.”
Mr Flanagan MLA said he was pleased to have been selected by the party’s local membership: “I am proud of my record of providing the people of Fermanagh with a strong and articulate voice since my election to Stormont in 2011 and I am looking forward to the challenge presented by the upcoming campaign.”
He added: “Michelle Gildernew has been a first class public representative for this constituency since 1996. She is a very good friend of mine and someone who I, and many, many others hold in the highest possible regard both personally and politically.”
Speculation has now begun to mount over the future of Ms Gildernew’s political career. The only one of the five members to take to Twitter regarding Sunday night’s results, she remained upbeat online but is understood to be privately deeply disappointed.
Despite many believing she would now step into the void left in mid-Ulster by Martin McGuinness returning to his home constituency in Derry, Ms Gildernew, who is herself a member of the Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle, flatly denied this following Sunday’s vote. Some have now suggested she may run in a southern constituency, however that remains speculative at this point.
There is further speculation that the Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle, due to meet on Saturday, February 13 to ratify the Fermanagh-South Tyrone selection convention may yet overturn the latest vote.
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