General Election 2011 will see a flood of Independents like never before. JOE picks out five worth keeping an eye on.
By Padraic O’Connor
Election 2011 is almost upon us and there certainly seems to be a nationwide ennui towards all major parties –many of whose policies and manifestos overlap as they slug it out for the love of the exasperated general public.
It seems as if this may be an election where independents truly make inroads. With a staggering total of 233 independents and members of small political parties running froma total of 564 candidates in this year’s election – there were only 107 independent candidates in the 2007 election – the times certainly seem to be a–changing in Irish politics.
With more than a few of the independent candidates commenting on the fact that if elected they’ll form a strong bond with other likeminded independents – a strong opposition to the ruling government – and hopefully bring about an end to Party whip politics, we here at JOE.ie have picked out 5 independent candidates in the upcoming elections worth keeping an eye on as the clock ticks down to 25 February.
So, in no particular order of preference, we give you…
Dylan Haskins
Where is he standing?
Haskins runs in Dublin South East where he’ll run against four experienced sitting candidates: John Gormley of the Green Party, Fine Gael’s Lucinda Creighton, Chris Andrews of Fianna Fáil and Labour’s Ruairi Quinn
What’s he all about then?
At just 23 the baby faced Haskins is already a member of the board at the Project Arts Centre in Temple Bar while his DIY ethic has endeared himself to the Dublin’s youth by his involvement in the Exchange Dublin project and his running of music and cultural events.
He’s been hailed for his use of new media in his campaign and smart taglines like “It starts here” and the getting-people-together messages in his promotional video like “We write the future…” and“I am staying here to see the future through”.
He can be accused of being idealistic but is that really a bad thing after the mire of tired old boy politicians we’ve had in the last few generations? And if it makes the younger generation get interested in politics and get out to vote, then what’s the harm?
Will he get in?
Certainly up against it but if he can muster his student and youth troops to vote then who knows?
Luke “Ming” Flanagan
Where is he standing?
Flanagan runs for election in the 3-seater Roscommon–South Leitrim constituency.
What’s he all about then?
A man who rose to infamy many moons ago for his flowing locks and ‘legalise Cannabis’ stance, Flanagan has gone on to be a strong member of local politics and moved from the stoner they love to slag to holding the Mayoral office for Roscommon for the year – thanks to a cute anti Fianna Fáil pact with Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and other local independents.
An outspoken and hard working member of his local community who pulled in a respectable 5,000 votes in 1999 Europe Elections and succeeded in 2004 and 2009 local elections in his native Roscommon, his strong sense of social justice has shone through in recent years.
Will he get in?
It’ll be tight, but more than likely, yes.
Mick Wallace
Where is he standing?
The 5-seater Wexford constituency where he’ll battle it out against Labour’s Brendan Howlin and Fine Gael’s Paul Kehoe.
What’s he all about then?
Wallace’s manifesto sees a pledge for honesty and transparency to be part of the new politics and to work with like-minded independents to club together as a real opposition and work for badly needed political reform
With politicians countrywide lambasted for their lack of connect to the trials and tribulations of the common man, that’s certainly not an accusation that locals in Wexford can throw at the scraggly haired football mad Wallace.
Though one of those developers that got the country into the state it’s in – he’s €40 million in debt – Wallace is famously staying put to fight on. His honest approach, “Work hard play hard” motto and his long-held association with the Wexford Youth football club have made him a bit of a hero locally.
His campaign got a boost when Republic of Ireland and Wolves man Kevin Doyle declared his support in recent days.
Will he get in?
The odds are dropping on Wallace all the time and it looks like the Dáil may have to sort out a new dress code if this keeps up.
Senator Shane Ross
Where is he standing?
Though originally courted by Fine Gael – who he stood for in the early 1990’s – Ross is running as an independent candidate in the 5-seater Dublin South constituency where he’ll be up against the likes of Fine Gael’s Alan Shatter and Eamon Ryan of the Greens.
What’s he all about then?
A respected political commentator and the longest-serving member of the Seanad, Ross is business editor of the Sunday Independent and pledges to challenge the culture of cronyism in Irish politics.
Author of “Wasters” and “The Bankers: how the banks brought Ireland to its knees”, Senator Ross is known as a champion of shareholders and consumers, was central in the investigation into the money wasting in FÁS and has also stood up against the likes of Eircom and the National Roads Authority.
Will he get in?
Looks a certainty with current odds of 1/8 to get elected.
John McGuirk
Where is he standing?
McGuirk runs in the Cavan-Monaghan constituency where he’ll be up against the likes of Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and sitting TD Margaret Conlon of Fianna Fáil.
What’s he all about then?
27-year-old McGuirk is a PR Consultant by trade and though this is his first sashay into trying to get himself elected he’s no stranger to politics. He managed the NO campaign on the first Lisbon Treaty referendum and ran Declan Ganley’s 2009 Euro Election campaign.
Will his past connection with the Libertas campaign be a blessing or a burden for his own election campaign? Only time will tell.
Will he get in?
A quick look at current odds shows that it looks like there’s only an outside chance of McGuirk getting through.
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