Dumpleton cuts ties with United Left Alliance

Left-wing candidate Liam Dumpleton has cut his ties with the United Left Alliance. Dumpleton, a Midlands 103 news journalist, had unsuccessfully sought a Labour Party nomination for Laois/Offaly, and was one of a number of members who subsequently left the party in a row over the selection of John Whelan to contest the general election. After the formation of new left wing group in Laois/Offaly at a public meeting in Portlaoise, Dumpleton was selected to run as a left alternative alliance candidate and it was envisaged the new group would affiliate to the national United Left Alliance movement, which is fielding candidates across the country. Dumpleton was subsequently formally listed in a press release by the United Left Alliance outlining candidates contesting the election under its umbrella. Among groups affiliated to the alliance are the People Before Profit organisation, the Socialist Party and the South Tipperary-based Workers and Unemployed Action Group. However, this week, Dumpleton told the Offaly Independent, he was no longer associated with the United Left Alliance. He said he refused to sign up to the alliance's pledge, which he felt restricted his ability to run as an independent. He also expressed unhappiness at the what he said was the opposition to the Labour Party involved in the pledge, which he described as “an oath of allegianceâ€. He said he had previously simply accepted the United Left Alliance's offer of help and assistance to his campaign. Mr Dumpleton is now running as an independent left candidate.