Labour looking for political ‘big beast’ to be general secretary

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton will appoint a political "big beast" to a senior position in Labour should she become leader to provide a strong alternative view to party ministers and TDs. As part of changes to the structure of the party under a different leader, a new general secretary – the most senior full-time official in the organisation – will be appointed.

Senior party sources say there is now a growing opinion that the position of general secretary needs to take on a more distinct role from the party in Government.

Big beast

“There is a general consensus that it needs to be a much more strategic and political role, so [we] will need a big beast,” a senior party figure said.

It is envisaged that the post would evolve to become a liaison with TDs, senators, ministers and the wider party, as well as working on the party apparatus, along the lines of the Tory party chairman in the UK.

The Conservative Party chairman is responsible for running the party machine and is usually an MP and member of the Cabinet when the Tories are in power. It is unlikely a TD will become Labour general secretary, but the new appointment would provide “an alternative intellectual centre” and “tell it like it is to the Tánaiste’s Cabinet”.

The recent leadership hustings have heard criticism that Labour has seen its identity subsumed into that of Fine Gael and that the party message was being lost as a result.

There is a tradition of junior Coalition partners having an outspoken figure to outline the party’s position, as independent from the Government position.

Contract up

The position of general secretary of Labour is coterminous with the party leader, which means the contract of the current office holder, Ita McAuliffe, will end upon the election of a new leader on July 4th.

While Ms McAuliffe may stay on in a caretaker position, it’s understood she’s “not keen” to keep the job for longer than a transition period, and intended on retiring in November anyway. The general secretary position will be advertised, and there were will be an open competition.

While the Labour Party constitution says the general secretary is appointed by the “party’s executive board following an open competitive process conducted under the authority of the party leader and with the approval of the board” the reality is the decision will be largely made by the leader of the day.

The constitution also says the general secretary is the “chief operating officer of the party and, under the direction of the party leader, is responsible for the management and control of head office, the party’s organisation and administrative affairs and its general development and expansion”.