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# Rebel Alliance
Will Luke 'Ming' Flanagan be part of the new Independent alliance?
The two men have been political allies for years — but is Ming on board with the Ross-Fitzmaurice plan?
WILL POLL-TOPPING MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan be part of the as-yet-untitled alliance of independents being put together by Michael Fitzmaurice and Dublin South TD Shane Ross?
The support of Flanagan and his organisation was instrumental in helping Fitzmaurice secure victory in last October’s Roscommon-South Leitrim by-election, and the two men have been allies for years.
Asked, at the count centre, whether his fellow turf-cutting campaigner’s election could herald the start of a new political movement, Flanagan said that whatever about the rigid form of a party “there does obviously need to be some sort of structure or form put on what independents represent”.
And while the MEP didn’t return TheJournal.ie‘s calls and texts yesterday, he has been tweeting his support for the nascent alliance…
The two are still in close contact, according to Fitzmaurice.
Here’s what he had to say about Ming’s involvement with the project, when he dropped by TheJournal.ie for an interview…
Leadership issues
Shane Ross, speaking to Prime Time last week, suggested the as-yet-untitled grouping might seek to remain outside of Cabinet if it held the balance of power after the next election. The Dublin TD also said he didn’t particularly mind who led the group.
Here’s what Fitzmaurice had to say on those issues…
Originally published: 7am
Read: What do politicians talk about in their ’1am conversations’? … Michael Fitzmaurice explains
Read: I’m out: Stephen Donnelly is NOT joining the alliance of independents
Read: Why is Lucinda holding a women-only briefing?
