Speculation Mounting That Nicky Kelly May Join Labour Party

The possibility that Nicky Kelly may be the second candidate for the Labour Party in the next general election has moved a step closer with a report that he was approached by party bosses last week. A report in yesterday's Sunday Tribune claimed that Kelly held talks with Labour in the Arklow Bay hotel on Thursday.

While Nicky is remaining tight-lipped on the situation and is denying

Possible Labour Man

that any such meeting took place, Wicklowtoday.com can reveal that he would at least have an open mind on the situation if asked directly by Labour to be a party candidate.

A vacuum was created with the announcement by former T.D. Liam Kavanagh that he does not intend to vie for a return to the Dail next time round. This leaves a huge chunk of votes in east Wicklow. The party may look at the situation that Liz McManus will poll well in Bray and Kelly will do well in Arklow but if he was on the Labour ticket a slice of Kavanagh's votes could go his way.

However, sitting Labour councillor Jimmy O'Shaughnessy may have different ideas on the situation. He has made no secret of the fact that he would be willing to contest the election for the party if nominated. Rathdrum based O'Shaughnessy won a huge vote in east Wicklow in the 1999 local elections.

There is a strong feeling that he would pull the traditional Labour vote along with a percentage of popularity votes from the solid east Wicklow bases which he has established over many years. He unsuccessfully contested two local elections before taking the seat left vacant following the death of Frank Hynes. However, the last election showed that he has built up a huge base in the eastern part of the county.