Centre Party (Caldia): Difference between revisions

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The party was first founded in 1916 as the '''Farmers' Party''' (''Páirtí na bhFeirmeoirí'') and changed its name to the Centre Party in 1941. Originally founded as an agrarian interest party, it also included the interests of those employed in the logging and fishing industries in addition to rural interests. It has formed coalition governments with both the [[Liberty Party (Caldia)|Liberty Party]] and the [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Social Democrats]]. It participated in Liberty-led governments from 2007 to 2019.  
The party was first founded in 1916 as the '''Farmers' Party''' (''Páirtí na bhFeirmeoirí'') and changed its name to the Centre Party in 1941. Originally founded as an agrarian interest party, it also included the interests of those employed in the logging and fishing industries in addition to rural interests. It has formed coalition governments with both the [[Liberty Party (Caldia)|Liberty Party]] and the [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Social Democrats]]. It participated in Liberty-led governments from 2007 to 2019.  


It has 12 TCs in the [[Comhthionól Náisiúnta]] and four representatives in the [[Seanad Glítteann]]. It is a member of the [[Euclean Liberal Party]] and sends one [[Euclean Parliament#Members|MEP]] to the [[Euclean Parliament]].
It has 19 TCs in the [[Tionól]]. It is a member of the [[Euclean Liberal Party]] and sends one [[Euclean Parliament#Members|MEP]] to the [[Euclean Parliament]].


==Name==
==Name==
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The party was founded in 1916 as the Farmer's Party. Its purpose was to meet the demand for a new political party to represent the interests and needs of the rural working class, notably those employed in agriculture. Its founders hoped to mirror the growing success of the [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Social Democratic Party]], which appealed to the urban working class. Soon after its founding the party worked to bring those employed in the forestry and fishing industries into its electoral base, adopting policies that represented their interests. These three industries were central to the [[Caldish Highlands|Highland]] economy and much of the population was employed with them. In 1922 the Highlanders' Union merged into the party, solidifying the role of rural and Highland interests in its platform. After the merger the party was known as the '''Coalition Party''' (''Páirtí na Comhghuaillíochta''). The party saw strong support from farmers in particular. Many of its early TCs were farmers that played an active role in their local communities.   
The party was founded in 1916 as the Farmer's Party. Its purpose was to meet the demand for a new political party to represent the interests and needs of the rural working class, notably those employed in agriculture. Its founders hoped to mirror the growing success of the [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Social Democratic Party]], which appealed to the urban working class. Soon after its founding the party worked to bring those employed in the forestry and fishing industries into its electoral base, adopting policies that represented their interests. These three industries were central to the [[Caldish Highlands|Highland]] economy and much of the population was employed with them. In 1922 the Highlanders' Union merged into the party, solidifying the role of rural and Highland interests in its platform. After the merger the party was known as the '''Coalition Party''' (''Páirtí na Comhghuaillíochta''). The party saw strong support from farmers in particular. Many of its early TCs were farmers that played an active role in their local communities.   


It was among the smaller members of the Comhthionól for decades and competed primarily with the [[National Conservative Party]]. However, the NCP's collapse created an opportunity for the party to expand its electoral base. The Highlands and rural counties in [[Regions of Caldia|Sudreadharr]], [[Regions of Caldia|Central Caldia]], and the [[Caldish Lowlands|Lowlands]] became the party's center of power. Its changing role in Caldish politics saw the party renamed as the Centre Party in 1941. It entered a coalition with the Social Democrats from 1952 to 1957. The party abandoned its long-time leader, Eilís Ní Raghallaigh, a prominent farmer and agricultural labor activist, for Cian Mag Uidhir. Mag Uidhir brought the party farther away from its origins in organized rural labor and introduced more economically liberal positions. He also embraced the party's traditional socially conservative platform. Economic crisis resulted in the 1975 snap election, which the Social Democrats lost. After the snap election, the Centre Party entered a short-lived coalition with Liberty from 1975 until 1977. It remained in opposition until 2007 when leader [[Malcolm Fitzpatrick]] secured a coalition agreement with Liberty's [[Alexis Walker]].  
It was among the smaller members of the Comhthionól for decades and competed primarily with the [[National Conservative Party]]. However, the NCP's collapse created an opportunity for the party to expand its electoral base. The Highlands and rural counties in [[Regions of Caldia|Sudreadharr]], [[Regions of Caldia|Central Caldia]], and the [[Caldish Lowlands|Lowlands]] became the party's center of power. Its changing role in Caldish politics saw the party renamed as the Centre Party in 1941. It entered a coalition with the Social Democrats from 1952 to 1957. The party abandoned its long-time leader, Eilís Ní Raghallaigh, a prominent farmer and agricultural labor activist, for Cian Mag Uidhir. Mag Uidhir brought the party farther away from its origins in organized rural labor and introduced more economically liberal positions. He also embraced the party's traditional socially conservative platform. Economic crisis resulted in the 1975 snap election, which the Social Democrats lost. After the snap election, the Centre Party entered a short-lived coalition with Liberty from 1975 until 1977. It remained in opposition until 2007 when leader [[Malcolm Fitzpatrick]] secured a coalition agreement with Liberty's [[Alastrí Nic Ualtair ⁊ Ní Deoradh]].  


===2007 to present day===
===2007 to present day===
[[File:Walker and Fitzpatrick.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Walker announcing her coalition with [[Malcolm Fitzpatrick]] in 2007]]
[[File:Walker and Fitzpatrick.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Nic Ualtair announcing her coalition with [[Malcolm Fitzpatrick]] in 2007]]
In Walker's coalition, Fitzpatrick secured policy concessions in line with his party's platform. The coalition lost its majority following the 2012 general election. It continued as a minority government with support from the [[Caldish Democrats]]. While in government, the Centre Party secured new regulations protecting the environment, increased funding for rural municipalities, and an increase in the number of shares in [[Ríoga Pheitriliam na Ghlítteann|RPG]] held by the government's pension fund.
In Walker's coalition, Fitzpatrick secured policy concessions in line with his party's platform. The coalition lost its majority following the 2012 general election. It continued as a minority government with support from the [[Caldish Democrats]]. While in government, the Centre Party secured new regulations protecting the environment, increased funding for rural municipalities, and an increase in the number of shares in [[Ríoga Pheitriliam na Ghlítteann|RPG]] held by the government's pension fund.


Walker stood down prior to the 2017 general election and was replaced by [[Jimmy O'Reilly]]. The party promised to eliminate university tuition fees, winning it notable support among young voters. It was 34 seats, the party's best performance in its history. The Liberty-Centre coalition continued to govern after the 2017 election, with the Caldish Democrats joining the coalition. Fitzpatrick died of a heart attack on 22 March 2018. He was succeeded by [[Cúan Ó Domhnaill]], the Minister of Education, as party leader. Centre remained in the coalition after O'Reilly resigned over a diplomatic scandal. The party had hinted it would exit the coalition if the taoiseach did not resign. [[Frank Casarnach]] led the coalition until its collapse in January 2019. A bid-rigging scandal saw Centre and the Caldish Democrats withdraw their support for Casarnach's government. They called for a new election. Centre lost most of its seats in the February snap election, winning just 12 seats. It was the party's worst performance since 1977. Since 2019, the party has returned to its rural roots and has primarily focused on environmental and local issues.  
Walker stood down prior to the 2017 general election and was replaced by [[Simi Ó Raghallaigh]]. The party promised to eliminate university tuition fees, winning it notable support among young voters. It was 34 seats, the party's best performance in its history. The Liberty-Centre coalition continued to govern after the 2017 election, with the Caldish Democrats joining the coalition. Fitzpatrick died of a heart attack on 22 March 2018. He was succeeded by [[Cúan Ó Domhnaill]], the Minister of Education, as party leader. Centre remained in the coalition after O'Reilly resigned over a diplomatic scandal. The party had hinted it would exit the coalition if the taoiseach did not resign. [[Proin Casarnach]] led the coalition until its collapse in January 2019. A bid-rigging scandal saw Centre and the Caldish Democrats withdraw their support for Casarnach's government. They called for a new election. Centre lost most of its seats in the February snap election, winning just 12 seats. It was the party's worst performance since 1977. Since 2019, the party has returned to its rural roots and has primarily focused on environmental and local issues. It was 19 seats at the 2022 general election and signed a supply agreement with the Mac Suibhne government.  


==Electoral history==
==Electoral history==
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|x=1982,1987,1992,1997,2002,2007,2012,2017,2019,2022
|x=1982,1987,1992,1997,2002,2007,2012,2017,2019,2022
|y=5.25,5.97,7.72,6.34,7.29,8.45,8.47,9.73,3.1,
|y=5.25,5.97,7.72,6.34,7.29,8.45,8.47,9.73,3.1,6.13
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| {{decrease}} 21
| {{decrease}} 21
| {{no2|in opposition to [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Social Democratic]] government}}
| {{no2|in opposition to [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Social Democratic]] government}}
|-
! [[2022 Caldish general election|2022]]
| 373,504
| 6.13 (#4)
| {{Composition bar|19|399|#007b5e}}
| {{increase}} 7
| {{partial|supporting [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Social Democratic]] minority government}}
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Latest revision as of 16:19, 21 July 2023

Centre Party
Páirtí Measartha
LeaderLachlann Mac an Fhleisteir
ChairpersonSiobhán Ní Cheallaighe
Founded1916
HeadquartersCloghel, County Sackmannan
Youth wingYoung Centrists
Membership (2017)37,340
IdeologyLiberalism
Agrarianism
Historically:
Centrism
Protectionism
Political positionCentre
International affiliationCentrist Democrat Alliance
Euclean partyModern Democrats - Euclean Centre Party
Euclean Parliament groupForward
Colours  Green
Tionól
19 / 399
Euclean Parliament
1 / 20
Website
measartha.gl

The Centre Party (Ghaillish: Páirtí Measartha, literally "Moderate Party") is a liberal and agrarian political party in Caldia. Historically a centrist party, the party has shifted its focus towards social liberalism, environmental protection, small businesses, young voters, and the decentralisation of governmental authority.

The party was first founded in 1916 as the Farmers' Party (Páirtí na bhFeirmeoirí) and changed its name to the Centre Party in 1941. Originally founded as an agrarian interest party, it also included the interests of those employed in the logging and fishing industries in addition to rural interests. It has formed coalition governments with both the Liberty Party and the Social Democrats. It participated in Liberty-led governments from 2007 to 2019.

It has 19 TCs in the Tionól. It is a member of the Euclean Liberal Party and sends one MEP to the Euclean Parliament.

Name

The party's official name (Ghaillish: Páirtí Measartha) translates literally as the Moderate Party. However, outside of Caldia the party is usually referred to as the Centre Party or Parti centriste.

History

The party was founded in 1916 as the Farmer's Party. Its purpose was to meet the demand for a new political party to represent the interests and needs of the rural working class, notably those employed in agriculture. Its founders hoped to mirror the growing success of the Social Democratic Party, which appealed to the urban working class. Soon after its founding the party worked to bring those employed in the forestry and fishing industries into its electoral base, adopting policies that represented their interests. These three industries were central to the Highland economy and much of the population was employed with them. In 1922 the Highlanders' Union merged into the party, solidifying the role of rural and Highland interests in its platform. After the merger the party was known as the Coalition Party (Páirtí na Comhghuaillíochta). The party saw strong support from farmers in particular. Many of its early TCs were farmers that played an active role in their local communities.

It was among the smaller members of the Comhthionól for decades and competed primarily with the National Conservative Party. However, the NCP's collapse created an opportunity for the party to expand its electoral base. The Highlands and rural counties in Sudreadharr, Central Caldia, and the Lowlands became the party's center of power. Its changing role in Caldish politics saw the party renamed as the Centre Party in 1941. It entered a coalition with the Social Democrats from 1952 to 1957. The party abandoned its long-time leader, Eilís Ní Raghallaigh, a prominent farmer and agricultural labor activist, for Cian Mag Uidhir. Mag Uidhir brought the party farther away from its origins in organized rural labor and introduced more economically liberal positions. He also embraced the party's traditional socially conservative platform. Economic crisis resulted in the 1975 snap election, which the Social Democrats lost. After the snap election, the Centre Party entered a short-lived coalition with Liberty from 1975 until 1977. It remained in opposition until 2007 when leader Malcolm Fitzpatrick secured a coalition agreement with Liberty's Alastrí Nic Ualtair ⁊ Ní Deoradh.

2007 to present day

Nic Ualtair announcing her coalition with Malcolm Fitzpatrick in 2007

In Walker's coalition, Fitzpatrick secured policy concessions in line with his party's platform. The coalition lost its majority following the 2012 general election. It continued as a minority government with support from the Caldish Democrats. While in government, the Centre Party secured new regulations protecting the environment, increased funding for rural municipalities, and an increase in the number of shares in RPG held by the government's pension fund.

Walker stood down prior to the 2017 general election and was replaced by Simi Ó Raghallaigh. The party promised to eliminate university tuition fees, winning it notable support among young voters. It was 34 seats, the party's best performance in its history. The Liberty-Centre coalition continued to govern after the 2017 election, with the Caldish Democrats joining the coalition. Fitzpatrick died of a heart attack on 22 March 2018. He was succeeded by Cúan Ó Domhnaill, the Minister of Education, as party leader. Centre remained in the coalition after O'Reilly resigned over a diplomatic scandal. The party had hinted it would exit the coalition if the taoiseach did not resign. Proin Casarnach led the coalition until its collapse in January 2019. A bid-rigging scandal saw Centre and the Caldish Democrats withdraw their support for Casarnach's government. They called for a new election. Centre lost most of its seats in the February snap election, winning just 12 seats. It was the party's worst performance since 1977. Since 2019, the party has returned to its rural roots and has primarily focused on environmental and local issues. It was 19 seats at the 2022 general election and signed a supply agreement with the Mac Suibhne government.

Electoral history

Comhthionól Náisiúnta

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Election year Votes % # of overall seats won +/- Government
1982 276,121 5.25 (#4)
13 / 399
 Decrease 4 in opposition to Liberty government
1987 320,193 5.97 (#4)
15 / 399
 Increase 2 in opposition to Liberty government
1992 421,068 7.72 (#4)
19 / 399
 Increase 4 in opposition to Social Democratic government
1997 360,413 6.34 (#5)
17 / 399
 Decrease 2 supporting Social Democratic-Green minority government
2002 424,905 7.29 (#5)
20 / 399
 Increase 3 in opposition to Liberty government
2007 549,221 8.45 (#4)
27 / 399
 Increase 7 in government as junior coalition partner to Liberty
2012 575,776 8.47 (#4)
25 / 399
 Decrease 2 in government as junior coalition partner to Liberty
2017 657,081 9.73 (#3)
33 / 399
 Increase 8 in government as junior coalition partner to Liberty
2019 199,522 3.1 (#5)
12 / 399
 Decrease 21 in opposition to Social Democratic government
2022 373,504 6.13 (#4)
19 / 399
 Increase 7 supporting Social Democratic minority government

Euclean Parliament

Election year Votes % # of overall seats won +/- Government
2019 340,311 6.86 (#4)
1 / 20
 Decrease 1 in government

Party leaders

Lachlann Mac an Fhleisteir, the current party leader.
  • Eilís Ní Raghallaigh (August 1951 - March 1969)
  • Cian Mag Uidhir (March 1969 - July 1982)
  • (July 1982 - January 1988)
  • (January 1988 - July 1999)
  • Síle Ó Cuív (July 1999 - September 2006)
  • Malcolm Fitzpatrick (September 2006 - March 2018)
  • Cúan Ó Domhnaill (March 2018 - August 2019)
  • Lachlann Mac an Fhleisteir (August 2019 - present)
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