Kildare Green Party Senator Says The Greens Need To "Communicate Better" With Rural Ireland, Refuses To Be Drawn On Leadership Endorsement

Wednesday, 19 June 2024 10:24

By Martin Osborne

Integration and Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman has become the first candidate to publicly throw his hat into the ring for leader of the Green Party.

Kildare Green Party Senator Vincent P. Martin said he hasn't "decided yet" who he will back to be the next party leader.

He said he is waiting to "hear pitches" from all potential successors.

Integration and Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman has become the first candidate to publicly throw his hat into the ring for leader of the Green Party.

He says on X he says he is running for leader after 24 years of Green Party membership to build a party that can win "across this country".

I’m announcing my candidacy for leadership of the Green Party/Comhaontas Glas.

I am running for leader, after 24 years of Green Party membership, to build a party that can win across this country, and deliver on our ambitions.

I'm asking for your support at:… pic.twitter.com/qSWcTxFGVB
— Roderic O’Gorman TD (@rodericogorman) June 19, 2024

If she chooses to run, Minister Pippa Hackett has been endorsed by Junior Minister Ossian Smith and Senator Pauline O'Reilly.

Junior Minister Malcolm Noonan won't be putting his name forward saying it's a tough job.

Senator P. Martin agreed with some criticism that the Green Party is not proving popular among voters in rural Ireland.

He said the party needs to "double down and fight back" and that members need to communicate better across rural Ireland.

He wouldn't be drawn on who he would back.

"I'm not going to say who I will endorse until i hear the hustings," he said.

He added that a new leader can "revitalise the party".

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