Last night it was announced that the SDLP is withdrawing from it's 'partnership' with Fianna Fáil. No real surprise as I don't really know what they got from it. It caused internal tensions within the SDLP and in that three years there were SDLP figures canvassing for Labour, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
What now though for Fianna Fáil in the North. Prior to the 'partnership' there was the ill fated launch of Sorcha McAnespy as a Fianna Fáil candidate. She had to stand as an Independent and despite being a decent candidate didn't do too well. Whilst naturally many members were delighted to have a partnership with the SDLP, it also stopped talk of Fianna Fáil running candidates in the North.
With the 'partnership' over, there are already calls from various Fianna Fáil figures to run candidates in the North. With the Ard Fheis this weekend, it will be interesting to see if the party running in the North gets much attention. The 'partnership' was seen by some as a manoeuvre to halt calls for the Party to run in the North.
I wonder too will any of Martin's potential successors hitch their wagon to the party running candidates in the North. I suspect they will, as I gather the membership have a vote in a leadership election.... interesting times ahead.
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