Clann na Poblachta

Clann na Poblachta (‘party of the republic’), political party founded on 6 July 1946. Made up largely of republican activists and led by Sean MacBride, the party managed quickly to establish a nationwide network of branches and members and to win significant victories at by‐elections. It won 13.2 per cent of the vote (ten seats) in the 1948 general election, and joined the first interparty government. Internal disagreements between the party leader and one of his ministers, Noel Browne, over the latter's ‘Mother and Child’ scheme resulted in a split within the party and seriously damaged its credibility as a radical movement.

The party never recovered from this blow; it was reduced to two seats at the general election of 1951 and, although it continued to contest elections until 1965, its position was always that of a marginal force. Its policies were left‐leaning and nationalist, and its tone was moralistic on the matter of ethics in public life.

John Coakley