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RENUA’S DIRECTOR OF communications and political strategy John Drennan has quit the party in the wake of its disastrous general election result where it failed to win any seats.
The former Sunday Independent political editor joined Renua in May of last year, saying the new political party had “the potential to bring real change to Irish politics”.
Drennan worked closely with party leader Lucinda Creighton throughout his time with the party, but it failed to capture the support of the public it had hoped for.
Renua lost all three of its TDs in the general election with Creighton the most high-profile casualty in Dublin Bay South.
It failed to win Dáil seats anywhere else despite fielding 26 candidates. It’s understood that Drennan handed in his notice on election day.
In a brief statement to TheJournal.ie, Drennan said that he wished Renua all the best in the future, adding: “The party does have a future, but it may have to redefine itself.”
Drennan is the author of a number of books, including The Great Betrayal: How the Government with the Largest Majority in the History of the Irish State Lost Its People, which was published while he was working for the party last year.
Despite not winning any seats, Renua did secure over 2% of support nationally in the election which means it qualifies for state funding of around €250,000 annually.
Creighton has said the party will continue despite not winning any Dáil seats.
Under the party’s constitution she will have to resign as leader as she is no longer an elected politician. One of the party’s five sitting councillors is likely to take up the role.
Shame, probably going to have to listen to his metaphorical rants on radio more now.
Yeah, in his own mind he’s smart,witty and hilarious. He’s none of these things and is actually a pain in the hole when he’s on radio.
If any more evidence was needed, it illustrates the ideological stance of the Sindo when its political editor felt most at home at the extreme right of Irish politics.The Independent hasn’t changed much in the last century and it remains virulently anti socialist:
“Nowhere is this more exemplified than in an editorial that appeared in the Irish Independent on May 10, 1916, with a picture of James Connolly beside it, which called for ‘’…the worst of the ringleaders [to] be singled out and dealt with as they deserve.’’
A mortally wounded Connolly was executed two days later. The paper’s proprietor, William Martin Murphy, leader of the 404 bosses that had locked out Dublin’s working class in 1913, had effectively campaigning for his execution. It was only after this was carried out that the paper called for clemency.”
http://socialistparty.ie/2016/03/the-1916-rising-lessons-for-today/
You have a way with words there Jimmyjoe. You do be eloquent with youser vernacular.
Change the station?
More time for shots of whiskey for old John
Renua is to receive €250,000 annually! This is ludicrous! Are there any conditions attaching to how our taxes, in the sum of quarter of a million euro, are to be spent by the non-mandated, unelected Renua? Do they have to provide receipts? Or, could Creighton just pocket the €250,000 as a salary? There are plenty of areas in the under-funded health service where €250,000 would make a big change!
Under SIPO rules there is dictate to provide accounts by 31st March including donation bank accounts.. Always thought it weird for Sinn Fein to do New York party fund raisers, when by rights SIPO dictates no donations fro overseas..
All parties share out the 13 million allocated to ensure only limited donations by individuals can be made. RENUA fought the election on no tax payers cash, FG benefited from the TDs who lost whip over voting for the pre-election party’s manifesto position on abortion. RENUA fund raises for all cash prior to election and struggled to get a media hearing for policies
2.3 persons out of every 100 voted for RENUA , that is their mandate?
1/4 Of A Million Euro
For That 2-Faced Cow’s Party
What ever happened to that poisonous little dwarf Eddie Hobbs, has he scurried back under his rock yet? Another useless gobshïte.
So true Niall. I couldn’t and can’t stomach Hobbs.
He’ll be back lecturing us all shortly on radio or some paper silly enough to employ him.
Great little country we live in. Some services crying out for funding and we have a failed political party that now will get €250.000 funding every year because they got some votes , but no tds..
What’s a ‘Renua’?
Serious though, they had one good proposal, and a whole mess of batshit ones. Plus, it was the worst kept secret in Ireland that they were basically the legion of Mary wing of Fine Gael, and would have hopped into bed with them post election.
Rejected Eejits’ Nonsensical Unnecessary Alliance
Make sure you’re referring to Renua Ireland. Just in case people mistake it with Renua Germany, or Renua America – or indeed Healy Rae Nua, which actually does have representatives in the Dáil.
@for Connolly the legion of Mary wing of FG lol made my day :-)
@For Connolly – “Legion of Mary wing of Fine Gael” – brilliant!
What did Creighton expect? She created a party that is more right-wing than Fine Gael.
Ah lads, just give up… actually €250k in funding, yeah no chance they’ll be giving up then.
Correct. The real story is that 1/4 million is going to be given to people who have been shown to have to no mandate by the electorate. An absolute disgrace and symptomatic of a dysfunctional state.
Ruadhan 2.3 people out of every 100 voted for RENUA, so sharing the 13 million fund , that is democracy
Interesting chap, but not half as clever as he thinks he is.
Maybe not even half as clever as you think he is….. Or maybe not half as clever as even I think he is…… Or ……
Like a failed football manager, some other team will welcome him with open arms. He won’t go hungry.
Renua had some good ideas especially for the self employed but this election was all about spending money not the tax burden Time for FF to take the stage and spend a few billon
Abject, clueless failures and how dare they pocket €250,000 of the taxpayers money on an odd technicality…. That’s just ridiculous……
He should have stuck to what he was good at.
Oh wait, he was crap at that too.
250k on political equivalent of Church literature.
Here’s hoping this idiot doesn’t leave the political scene completely. His usual negative analysis on Sinn Fein’s electoral prospects are so counter productive that his loss would be felt. Keep it up John, you’re almost as beneficial as Burton…
was he actually in Renua or just a hired gun?
Thats Sinn Fein you’re thinking of there.
John Drennan – political editor Independent and Renua’s director of communications – Ha Ha. He cannot get anything right. Remember this from 2011? http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/john-drennan/john-drennan-adams-facing-battle-for-last-seat-26706496.html
He can now write a book about the smallest political party losing its people…
What a joke of an article. Pulled the same thing on Joan Bruton this election. Even though it was always looking like she would win. Indo published a spoof poll in which 2 fine gaelers would win a seat in Dublin West.
If only the Catholiban Renua would follow suit… But €250k p/a is too much of a slush fund not to keep the aul snout in the trough!!
250K annually for unelected party ….WHAT
Anyone think a star wars jedi party would get 2 % of the vote ill only take a 50 k salary (twice as much as I earn now)
Back to the indo. At least he’ll be around people who think like he does. How people buy that newspaper is beyond me.
‘The party may have to redefine itself’ ? Newspeak paraphrasing of Goucho’s lines ‘ I’ve got principles, but if you don’t like them, I’ve got others.’
I could have done that job but then i was never a political editor or someone who knows someone.
Apparently he’s joining the new Rea Nua party, who know how to get votes !
Just as rats desert a sinking ship, so do the shits desert a sinking raft. Renua is a recidivist collection of anti-democrats who believe that our social policy should be dictated by the Roman Catholic Church, in spite of its moral turpitude and irrelevance to the Christian cause.
By the looks of him, he could always get a job as a Brendan Behan tribute act
Just keeps getting better for the new political party
I’d say that post Mortem was some craic!!
I’d say drennan Shiite the togs at the prospect of facing looseinda…
He looks homeless.
Werent they Dejavua Nua?
lol election strategy.
John Drennan’s talents will be snapped up quickly his acerbic wit is second to none.
RENUA did nt go for populist policies such as scrapping water charges like FF and SD any they now seem to fear going into a government, RENUA developed many visionary and respected policies on mental health, disability child care and housing, but I think the public did nt warm to or get the 23% Flat tax on all income as opposed to limits to those couples earning up to 100,000, likes nurses, Gardai, self employed. People thought RENUA was a pro life party yet it only allowed a social conscience vote and did nt take a position on the Eight. Many of RENUA’s policies have been adopted by other parties already, such as social conscience vote on abortion, pro small businesses and rural economy, Tallaght Type strategy to reform health service, use of credit unions to undermine money lenders, reform of politics more open government.
4/5 candidates just missed out on election, with cash in the bank and selling a more compassionate message that benefits all but ensures work pays, all is not lost
Great ideas but Lucinda supported removing medical cards from serious ill children , and voted for cuts to home help and all the other austerity cuts ,she supported the private debt of speculators and builders been paid for by the Irish people through austerity ,That unsecured bondholders be paid ,Just what we don’t need another cheer leader party for the greedy ,
What a loss.
Heavy.
One of the few decent journos the sindo had.It’s also lost Dion fanning, one of the finest soccer writers in Britain or Ireland.
As long as he stays off the radio. He is PAINFUL
Drennan – The great adjournalist.
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