And there was I thinking that factionalism was going to break out in the ruling party. But not a bit of it. Instead of setting up there own structures independent of party leadership control, the potential dissident backbenchers have succumbed to Bertie Ahern's embrace. There will now be a formal structure for a committees to deal with four main areas - the economy, quality of life, social affairs, and agriculture and rural life - that will feed into the December budget and the election manifesto. Early soundings from these groups will be taken at the parliamentary party's two-day meeting in Westport, Co Mayo, in early September. The four new committees may change in time into one grouping, but the party leadership would control it, Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt emphasised last night.
Do the rebel TDs feel crushed? Those most identified as potential dissidents insisted that their initiative was not part of a plot against the leadership. One Deputy claimed that "In fact, the Taoiseach has gone further than even I wanted him to go in the way in which TDs will have an input into the election manifesto". The Indo reports that "Mr Ahern told the TDs and senators that he was not annoyed at the proposal but indicated he was unhappy with the way it was done". The merest expression of disappointment by the leader was apparently enough to snuff out dissent. Then some of the fingered backbenchers complained about how the letter was leaked, taking the sting out of the substance of the potentially dissenting arguments. Meanwhile Ahern had already said that he had an "open door policy" and backbenchers could see him anytime. Such enviable restraint and self-discipline. Almost reminds me of the doctrine of democratic centralism.
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