Former Mayor of Derry city council, Helen Quigley featured prominently in today’s Journal, with the suggestion that she was leaving the council after failing to be considered as a candidate in next years Assembly election.
Update: It seems I have got a number of important details wrong in this story in my unbecoming haste to get it out. Contrary to my first report last night, Quigley remains an SDLP councillor and will remain such until the local elections next year. Here’s the detail in the Journal story on her exit from politics.
There have rumours of tensions for months within the Foyle constituency, resulting in at least one sitting MLA – Pat Ramsey – failing to gain selection. Having played a crucial role in campaigning for Margaret Ritchie leadership campaign, her departure does not augur well for the internal health of the party.
This follows a pretty heated dispute at Down District Council in which one Ritchie loyalist made what can only be described as an ill-advised and intemperate attack on the councils Green party councillor.
Slugger understands that Donegal man Pol Callaghan – political advisor to Mark Durkan – is the man to watch in Derry.
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
Discover more from Slugger O'Toole
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
