Former minister to confirm intentions tonight at party candidate selection conventionMairéad McGuinness linked to general election run as European Commission term runs out
His departure has prompted speculation about European Commissioner Mairéad McGuinness being approached to run in his place.
Mr English is the 16th Fine Gael TD to depart ahead of the election. The former junior minister has been a TD since 2002. He resigned as a minister last year after it emerged he gave incorrect information in a planning application to build a one-off rural home.
The Fine Gael selection convention in Meath West takes place tonight after being postponed a fortnight ago. The party did not offer a coherent reason for the deferral, but it was believed to be down to the uncertainty over Mr English’s future.
“I have reflected quite a lot since June 7. While I love every single day of my job, I also know that the time is right to make way for the new wave of talent to take over from me for Fine Gael in Meath West.
Mr English will be replaced on the ticket by his parliamentary assistant, councillor Linda Nelson Murray from Navan.
“Tonight, I have informed the members of Fine Gael in Meath West that I won’t be contesting the next general election,” Deputy English said.
“I do so in the knowledge that support for Fine Gael is rising. Our Party leader Simon Harris TD is flying.
“He is dynamic, buzzing with energy and full of new ideas. Simon is determined to deliver the very best for our people and our country.
“I love politics and politics will never leave me. My focus now is to make sure we hold our Dáil seat in Meath West and that Simon Harris is returned as Taoiseach after the next General Election.
“I am delighted to fully endorse Linda Nelson Murray as our candidate for Meath West. Having worked closely with her for the past five years I know she is the best person to win the seat and be a strong, fresh voice for the people of Meath in the Dáil,” Deputy English said.
Mr Harris has told the Fine Gael organisation to wind up its selection conventions by the end of next week. The timing has heightened anticipation of a November election.
However, Mr Harris says the Coalition will see out its term and Tánaiste Micheál Martin says the election will be in 2025.
Mr English is expected to be last of the sitting TDs to announce he won’t be running in the general election. He follows Richard Bruton, Leo Varadkar, John-Paul Phelan, Ciarán Cannon. David Stanton, Michael Creed, Josepha Madigan, Brendan Griffin, Charlie Flanagan, Fergus O’Dowd, Michael Ring and Paul Kehoe.
Eoghan Murphy resigned a year after the general election, while Joe Carey retired his seat last month. Joe McHugh lost the party whip and is stepping down too.
All told, 17 Fine Gael TDs elected in 2020 will not be running in the forthcoming general election.
Of the 56 election candidates picked by Fine Gael so far, 31 are neither TDs nor Senators.
