PD members 'left in the dark"

Former Progressive Democrat local and general election candidate in Meath, Sirena Campbell, said there is huge disappointment and anger amongst ordinary members about the way the future of the party has been handled by the hierarchy. A national conference takes place in Mullingar on Saturday where a motion to wind up the party will be put forward by the current leadership, which includes Senator Ciaran Cannon and Health Minister Mary Harney. 'A lot of people were very angry at the way the decision was taken with no reference to the members - and no consultation,' Ms Campbell, from East Meath, said. The first inkling of it most former candidates and councillors had was through the national media. 'It is very disappointing because the PD policies are all the more relevant in the current climate,' Ms Campbell said. She believes the recently elected leader, Ciaran Cannon from Galway, wasn"t given enough opportunity to lead the party before the decision was taken. 'The party has been at a low ebb before, like in 2002 election when Bobby Molloy and Des O"Malley were retiring and Mary Harney and Liz O"Donnell were the only two sitting TDs running.' She admits that there were other low points, like the 2004 local elections, but believes that the party should have ran European candidates to keep the PDs" profile high that year. There was also anger at Michael McDowell"s rash decision to resign at the election count last year after losing his seat, while other candidates were still battling it out. 'There is nothing in the constitution of the PDs to allow for the winding up of the party, so it will be interesting to see what happens. 'There would have to be a motion put forward to the general council to disband the PDs,' she said. Ms Campbell says there will be a lot of anger expressed at the meeting, which is being held behind closed doors with a secret ballot. 'There is a lot of bitterness, particularly about the way we"re being seen as a recruitment general for Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.' Since its formation in 1986, there have been a number of Progressive Democrat candidates in various elections in the county. Early on, the late Pat Andrews, an Athboy councillor, joined the party, as did Paddy Fulham of Donore. Joseph Fernandez and John Bird ran in 1989. Fernandez, from Ratoath, later reappeared on the scene when he paid Mary Harney"s helicopter bill after her controversial flight to open an off-licence in Leitrim. More recent candidates associated with the party were Caroline Mhic Daeid, Ronnie Owens and Ms Campbell, all of whom failed to make a breakthrough in the county which votes strongly along Fine Gael and Fianna Fail party lines.