Is anyone really abandoning Royston?

vinnyfitz

There seems to be a notion out there that Royston has really blown it with the story of the "The Da, the taxi, the Herald and the Joe Duffy show" but has he? Do you know anyone who was going to vote for him but who has now changed their mind?

therecklessone

No, but I do know a guy who was in his year in school and says he was a complete imbecile.

So I guess the public persona hasn't changed much then, eh?

arcadegame2004

Royston is just the victim of a smear campaign by the Irish Left.

First there was the "Royston Brady was here" thing carved into a 2FM desk, which he denied doing. I mean, even he isn't that stupid to do that in an election campaign and be made to look like a fool.

He simply said his father had been kidnapped before the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. If it's true then what's the problem?

ballooba

Originally posted by arcadegame2004
Royston is just the victim of a smear campaign by the Irish Left.

First there was the "Royston Brady was here" thing carved into a 2FM desk, which he denied doing. I mean, even he isn't that stupid to do that in an election campaign and be made to look like a fool.

He simply said his ftaher had been kidnapped before the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. If it's true then what's the problem?

It was actually a Today Fm desk during the Ian Dempsey breakfast show and it was before his campaign started.

therecklessone

Originally posted by arcadegame2004
Royston is just the victim of a smear campaign by the Irish Left.

First there was the "Royston Brady was here" thing carved into a 2FM desk, which he denied doing. I mean, even he isn't that stupid to do that in an election campaign and be made to look like a fool.

He simply said his father had been kidnapped before the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. If it's true then what's the problem?

Christ on a bike where do I start?

Firstly, if his story is not true, where do we go then?

Secondly, Royston is a victim of his own inate stupidity. He's supposed to be all slick and PR-centric (not that thats a good thing), but every time I hear him speak he sounds like a dribbling fool. He has gaffe written all over him for fecks sake.

Arcade, the last thing the left need to do is smear Royston, he's doing a good enough job of alienating the public himself. I'd have thought his own party colleagues have more to lose if he is successful anyway...

Mighty_Mouse

Sure even FF politicians cant defend him!!

arcadegame2004

But he still denies it. Has anyone seen him do it?

bobbyjoe

Royston is just the victim of a smear campaign by the Irish Left.

Admit the name on the desk thing was dumb and doesn't really deserve reporting but don't think its some smear campaign.

But claiming that his father was also a victim of the Dublin bombings in that he was kidnapped and threatened would definetly be used to gain sympathy with Dublin voters.

If its true why is there no record of the incident in the Garda file on the bombings and why are the victims families saying it didn't happen?
Also if its true why has he ignored the victims support group requests for more information?

At best he's retelling a story his Da told him (which may or may not be true) and for some unexplicable reason isn't prepared to qualify or explain what happened. In which case he's an insensitive moron.

At worst he's using a tradegdy to gain some votes considering he doesn't seem to have an opinion on anything.

therecklessone

Originally posted by arcadegame2004
But he still denies it. Has anyone seen him do it?

This thought just struck me. Are you Cork in disguise?

Victor

I think a lot of people will now see him as a Walter Mitty, he'll lose some votes for FF, but I think a lot of people will for for Ryan instead (not that he has much of a better profile). I think you'll still get a bunch of FF grannies voting for the "nice lookin' young lad".

mike65

Christ I really wanted to post about this yesterday as I heard the whole thing unfold, fantastic radio I must say.

The mans an idiot, if as has been noted the car had been sued as a Loyalist getaway vehicle then there would be no doubt in anyones mind that what was descipbed by Brady did happen, but even his mother
did'nt back up the claim.

The whole kidnap at gunpoint thing did happen according to other family members but it could'nt
confirm it was loyalists.

If the Brady family had been caught up in such an imfamous episode everyone and his dog within the family and friends/acquaintances circle would know exactly what happened, when it happened and who was invloved - you dont forget stuff like that! So the fact his mother and aunt (?) came on air and did not confirm the Loyalist link means he's at best spouting a tall tale told to him, for the worst reasons or he is an outright lier.

Heres the whole programme, worth a listen. Skip section from 25.00 to 40.00 mins (diff topic)
http://www.rte.ie/rams/radio/latest/Wed/rte-liveline.smil
This link will expire 16th June .

Mike.

gandalf

OMG I have read it all here. Smear campaign by the Left please keep them coming I need cheering up

I despair when I see people of the calibre of Royston Brady running for office. Is this the best we can do in this country. This "person" has evaded explaining what exactly he stands for and the only thing I have seen him talk about has been dismissed by the majority of people who have an understanding into the Dublin bombings as a work of pure fiction.

As for the Today FM "Graffitigate" that would not concern me as much as this person getting elected with nothing more than his vacious "Energy" "Drive" and whatever other slogan he has on his posters getting elected.

From seeing what little I have of this guy and reading commentaries on him I wouldn't trust him to run a corner store let alone be one of our representatives in Brussels (and remember we have less of them now!!!).

Personally no matter who else you vote for even the Chuckies I think you should have your vote removed if you vote this "person" anywhere near the top of your ballot.

Cork

Royston Brady has done a great job as Dublin's Lord Mayor.

He has worked hard in this position.

Royston, Bertie & Carmencita Hederman were the most effective Dublin Lord Mayors in recent years.

There is a certain amount of left wing inspired old fashioned begrudgery.

But the Irish electorate are far too intelligent for negative campaigning.

The people of Dublin will effectively decide. The contest will not be decided by cheap smearing,begrudgery or negative campaigning.

mike65

Well Argued.

Mike.

gandalf

Originally posted by Cork
Royston Brady has done a great job as Dublin's Lord Mayor.

Doing what exactly Cork? Heh care to elaborate? All I remember him doing as Lord Mayor was using the Carraige for his wedding at our expense. Or him lambasting the people that actually make the decisions for Dublin the councillors.

Tell me how has Royston done a great job as the Mayor of Dublin Cork? And you better not spout generalised crap it better be specifics here!!!

chewy

strange story indeed....


theres a bit in the northside people ( the i wanna plug my election so ill give out about grafitti or something ground breaking like that paper )

it's title, your damned if you do damned if you don't...

says he _is_ giving loads of interviews and describes the media interest in him...

BUT in the whole page of writing it only mentions one subject which could be descirbed as "policy", him giving out to mcdowell about not having enough guards on the streets while mayor ages ago which he then had to apologise for

he doens't say anything unique about it, and doesn't refer to it in european context...

so basically theres an article saying _he does_ give interviews and _does have_ policy but still manages to escape mentioning any of them

people arn'#t voting for him there are voting for ff

and then you turn over the page and you see his mug again

joolsveer

I don't understand why people are contiually trying to smear Royston Brady. He's a good and fit looking lad not like some of the pinko candidates (some of them are not even lads).
It's not fair to say that Royston stands for nothing. He stands for everything Bertie stands for. In fact he reminds me of a young Bertie so he has a glowing future.
I don't agree with whoever said that if you pinned an FF label on a donkey he'd get elected.

Cork

Originally posted by gandalf

Tell me how has Royston done a great job as the Mayor of Dublin Cork? And you better not spout generalised crap it better be specifics here!!!

Lord Majors have no clout but Royston attended my community events and he always represented Dublin well.

people arn'#t voting for him there are voting for ff

Yes, Dan McLaughlin expects tax receipts to come in €2 billion ahead of the Budget target for this year. The record of the FF/PDs in government has been pretty impressive.

Yet Left wing begrudgery rears its ugly head again. Even Charlie McCreevy has lowered personal taxes they crib about slelth taxes.

The left also crib about health when the PDs and FF have drastically iccreased health spending.

We can all be negative and moan about every thing but our economy is the envy of our EU neighbours.

Talking to a group from Poland yesterday - they would love half our economic success.

sceptre

OK so Royston says he's got policies. Can someone tell me (a non-Dublin voter) what they are?

As for both Royston being a "fit looking lad" and the possibility of getting a Fianna Fail donkey elected, I couldn't care less if my local candidates looked like Johnny Depp and were hung like donkeys, I'm only interested in their policies, work ethic and likelihood of getting those policies enacted. The possibility of them scoring in Lillies on a Saturday night doesn't play a big part in my decision about my vote because I'm not an idiot.

Victor

Originally posted by joolsveer
I don't understand why people are contiually trying to smear Royston Brady. He's a good and fit looking lad not like some of the pinko candidates (some of them are not even lads). It's not fair to say that Royston stands for nothing. He stands for everything Bertie stands for. In fact he reminds me of a young Bertie so he has a glowing future. I don't agree with whoever said that if you pinned an FF label on a donkey he'd get elected.

Hang Bertie is **the** fence sitter with no perceptible policies other than being re-elected, isn't he?

BTW, you didn't mention any of his policies.

Originally posted by Cork
Lord Majors have no clout but Royston attended my community events and he always represented Dublin well.

But you aren't from Dublin, are you?

Cork

See, this is more of It. Royston is a member of FF. Check out www.fiannafail.ie for policies.

FF have always been pro EU and campaigned in favour of the various treatys.

SF's atitude towards the EU is akin to that of the UK Conversative Party.

Cork

Originally posted by Victor
Hang Bertie is **the** fence sitter with no perceptible policies other than being re-elected, isn't he?

BTW, you didn't mention any of his policies.

Again Check out www.fiannafail.ie for policies

This government is the most successful since the foundation of this state. Look at government spending and employment levels.

http://www.rte.ie/business/2004/0609/economy.html

RainyDay

Originally posted by arcadegame2004
Royston is just the victim of a smear campaign by the Irish Left [...]
He simply said his father had been kidnapped before the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. If it's true then what's the problem?

Royston doesn't need help with anyone on the smearing. He's doing quite well all by himself. He did not 'simply say' that his father had been kidnapped before the bombings. He said that his father was kidnapped by the bombers AND that his father's taxi was used as a getaway car. He said once last November, and he was approached by families of the victims of the bombing in person & in writing to back up his claims. He ignored them, and then went on to repeat his false allegations in an interview with Joe Jackson 3 weeks ago. He also ignored a written request from the State enquiry into the bombings for further information.

He's a beaut - All style, no substance - and incredibly dumb in thinking he could get away with this crap unchallenged.

Victor

Originally posted by Cork
See, this is more of It. Royston is a member of FF. Check out www.fiannafail.ie for policies.

Oh come on, just click on any Royston speech there.

Warning: Supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /usr/local/psa/home/vhosts/fiannafail.ie/httpdocs/new/site/includes/article.php4 on line 24

Likewise, nothing on http://www.rbrady.ie/ or www.fiannafail.ie/new/site/person.php4?show=Euro Candidate&pid=176&bid=313 (boy do they make it difficult to link to individual pages on the site)

Now there is a manifesto here (large PDF file), but the is nothing from Toy-Roy.

Victor

PS interesting map from FF site http://www.fiannafail.ie/new/site/images/maps/basemap.gif

sceptre

Hmmm, that's odd. That map makes no sense whatever in this dimension of reality.

jd

I notice a hell of a lot of the Royston posters have been replace with generic Fianna Fail posters (around Clontarf, anyway)..

ArphaRima

Royston is the most elusive candidate out there. I have yet to hear him being interviewed, and in fact even the media are saying this.

He has a poster campaign paralled by none and he is using it alone to surf to victory. He's a bloody FF poster boy and thats it.

ArphaRima

Good name though. Royston.

bonkey

Its funny...

every single poster who has defended Brady has done so without being able to give specifics about why he is a good candidate for the job in question. Not one single quality that is relevant to the job - that I can see - has been mentioned.

Yes, I'm sure he's attended lots of community events Cork, but - to be quite honest - so ****ing what? What has that to do with his ability to get anything done in politics, to make change, and to be responsible and (in an ideal world) inspirational or a force for change?

I'll tell you what - absolutely nothing.

But no...rather than extoll his qualities, all we hear is that the knocking of him is because of those damned lefties and their smear campaigns and begrudgery.

Step up to the plate, anyone who thinks that, and defend the man for what he's worth, rather than trying to deflect criticism by not addressing the points that are being criticised. Argue that the man has worth. If you can't do that, then accept that its not left-wing begrudgery, but rather right-wing false promotion which is causing this difference of opinion.

The criticisers are not short of reasons to be critical. Those who praise Mr. Brady seem to do so on the vaguest grounds possible - that he's worth something because the lefties are just irrationally knocking him.

Look at who's points have content and make up your own mind.

Me - I know nothing about the guy, and while I mightn't swallow all of the criticism, I've seen nothing on this thread about why he's worth a vote other than that he's a nice looking bloke who attends local events. I know a couple of gigolo's you'd all be inteterested in voting for if thats your criteria.

jc

Victor

Originally posted by jd
I notice a hell of a lot of the Royston posters have been replace with generic Fianna Fail posters (around Clontarf, anyway)..

A lot of areas are running two separate campaigns - one for FF and one for the candidates (with a really tiny FF logo in the corner).

jd

Originally posted by Victor
A lot of areas are running two separate campaigns - one for FF and one for the candidates (with a really tiny FF logo in the corner).

Maybe so- but the decrease is certainly noticable wrt Brady's posters, not Ryan's.

therecklessone

Originally posted by therecklessone
This thought just struck me. Are you Cork in disguise?

Jaysus, no answer from Arcade, but Cork was in pretty quick, wasn't he? Is this another lad12/d4 conundrum? Or are they both just talking out their ar*es?

Originally posted by Cork
Royston Brady has done a great job as Dublin's Lord Mayor.

He has worked hard in this position.

Royston, Bertie & Carmencita Hederman were the most effective Dublin Lord Mayors in recent years.

There is a certain amount of left wing inspired old fashioned begrudgery.

But the Irish electorate are far too intelligent for negative campaigning.

The people of Dublin will effectively decide. The contest will not be decided by cheap smearing,begrudgery or negative campaigning.

Royston Brady has worked hard at being Royston Brady. Nothing else. He's there to get along, make a name for himself and get as much exposure as he can. He has yet to make clear why he is the best qualified candidate in tomorrow's Euro elections, and its a bit late in the day for him to start.

He is boorish, sleazy, incompetent and hopelessly unqualified for any elected position in this country. And if Cork/Arcadegame took his FF blinkers off he's see that for himself.

Victor

Originally posted by therecklessone
This thought just struck me. Are you Cork in disguise?

Naw, I doubt it. arcadegame is really a committee of PD thought monkies repeating stuff to a speed-typing copy and paste monkey.

bonkey

Victor...if I wasn't pissed, I'd swear that was a really well-disguised insult

jc

vinnyfitz

Has anyone here met anyone at all who originally planned to vote for Royston and who has now finally grasped the point that he does not deserve their vote and hence chosen another candidate?

jd

Originally posted by vinnyfitz
Has anyone here met anyone at all who originally planned to vote for Royston and who has now finally grasped the point that he does not deserve their vote and hence chosen another candidate?

I haven't ..
Actually I was discussing it with my dad over the weekend. Michael Lowrey gets elected, partly because the meedja aren't going dictate to the culchies..
Likewise for the Skangers and Royston, perhaps (if ye get my angle?).

The Rooster

Royston has got a very hard time in the media, particularly from Matt Cooper and George Hook who have been way over the top (and frankly been unfair) in their criticism. Its up to him and only him, how he runs his campaign. He's trying to meet as many people in person as he can, and hoping word spreads by word of mouth / recommendation - rather than spening time preparing for and giving media interviews.

Its very easy to ask "what will he bring to Dublin as an MEP". But the answer is as Cork has put it - he's FF, and you know what FF stands for - if you don't read their website.

You could equally ask what has Prionsias de Rossa done in the last 5 years while he was an MEP. Personally, I havent heard tell of him in that time whatsoever. The one thing you can say about Patricia McKenna is that at least she's doing stuff and not hiding - even if all she seems to do is to disagree with something/everything

Back to Royston for a second. While Labour in particular have jumped on the Roy bashing bandwagon, Sinn Fein were the ones who started. I'd very strongly suspect that they're the ones who organised the removal of his posters (and that assumption is not just me, its widespread - and its been happening in other parts of the country too allegedly). They actually wanted him for themselves. His father was very republican, but not IRA and not Sinn Fein as they werent as well organised in the city back then, but SF recognised a few years ago that Royston was a potential catch. Roy boy though decided to stick with FF. So that might explain why they're out to get him.

Personally I'm a floating voter, and I think Mitchell is the best candidate of all and I'd prefer to see Ryan get the FF seat ahead of Brady.

chewy

lots of snipes there rooster what exactly is wrong with anti-war and anti-gm huh?

did anyone hear the pr guy for roysten on 106 the other night...

he told more then i heard from anyone else

i do think hook gets on the bandwagon a bit but sure he was dead right bout e-voting so... there plenty of others who do the same in the opposite direction

i thought politicians where supposed to somwhat distinct from there parties just a bit like... otherwise the donkey analgoy stands

anyway yerman said mep are not supposed to have policies, they take the policies from the unelected commission and are supposed to bring em back to the public and filter them back.....

Mighty_Mouse

Back to Royston for a second. While Labour in particular have jumped on the Roy bashing bandwagon, Sinn Fein were the ones who started. I'd very strongly suspect that they're the ones who organised the removal of his posters (and that assumption is not just me, its widespread - and its been happening in other parts of the country too allegedly). They actually wanted him for themselves. His father was very republican, but not IRA and not Sinn Fein as they werent as well organised in the city back then, but SF recognised a few years ago that Royston was a potential catch. Roy boy though decided to stick with FF. So that might explain why they're out to get him.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :rolleyes: tis nearly as good as Roystons kidnap story!!

Corben Dallas

I really hope Royston takes a battering at teh polls, he seems only to pick the friendly TV Radio spots, not the ones wheres hes likely to be asked difficult questions like on 'The Last Word' with Matt Cooper etc.

The main problem i have with the Royston Campaign is not the 'no policy on offer here/ Bereft of any fresh ideas' its teh fact that hes a Lord Mayor of Dublin and if elected we would be sending him as Irelands Representative to the EU. Where they will ask him lots of difficult questions. Hes a political Lightweight and shouldnt have even been considered for nomination for the post by FF.

The Rest of Europe must be laughing at us for thinking a Lord Mayor has any sort of political skills needed to get any benefits from Europe for Ireland. Plus the Lord Mayor of Dublin isnt goin to be bringing any influence to the EU on issues that will be a little bit bigger than whats goin on either side of the Liffey.

Its like a rookie driver whos done nothing else other than a year in karts, then steps into Forumla1 and expect him to beat Michael Schumacher.

SkepticOne

Originally posted by Corben Dallas
The main problem i have with the Royston Campaign is not the 'no policy on offer here/ Bereft of any fresh ideas' its teh fact that hes a Lord Mayor of Dublin and if elected we would be sending him as Irelands Representative to the EU. Where they will ask him lots of difficult questions. Hes a political Lightweight and shouldnt have even been considered for nomination for the post by FF.

Maybe I'm being cynical, but I would imagine that FF put him forward on the basis that he is likely to win. Once he gets to Europe, if elected, do you think many will be following his progress? Most of the people voting for him will have little interest in EU issues. There concern will be to get someone from FF elected.

As regards being a political lightweight, he can just keep his head down for the duration of the term. I would say the journos would have more interest in the Czech former porn actress "Dolly Buster". How many questions get asked of Euro MPs anyway?

I think people will be voting according to the party they support rather than the qualities of the individual candidates since European issues don't really engage people and so it doesn't really matter who goes there. In Britain, it looks as though the Eu elections are being used as a means of punishing Labour over Iraq.

ArphaRima

In Britain, it looks as though the Eu elections are being used as a means of punishing Labour over Iraq.

I hope it the trend continues until the national elections whenever they are.

Cork

Originally posted by bonkey
Its funny...

every single poster who has defended Brady has done so without being able to give specifics about why he is a good candidate for the job in question. Not one single quality that is relevant to the job - that I can see - has been mentioned.

Yes, I'm sure he's attended lots of community events Cork, but - to be quite honest - so ****ing what? What has that to do with his ability to get anything done in politics, to make change, and to be responsible and (in an ideal world) inspirational or a force for change?

I'll tell you what - absolutely nothing.

But no...rather than extoll his qualities, all we hear is that the knocking of him is because of those damned lefties and their smear campaigns and begrudgery.

jc

What has Mary Lou done? She has made much of photo opportunitys been photographed alongside her Leader.

Besides been photographed alongside a MP - What She achieved?

But what questions have been raised about her "quality that is relevant to the job"?

SF are among the most Euro Skepric of Irish political partys. Their atitude to the EU is like that of the UK conservative party. What questions have been raised of this Euro skeptic party?

Royston Brady is a FF canidate. He is not an independent and he does not have an independant policy platform.

Royston Brady has been an effective Lord Mayor. Lord Mayors don't change the world but he has been pretty effective with regards to the constraints of the office.

Deacon Blues

The Roy took a gamble, and went for Europe. If (when) he doesn't get elected, I'm assuming that his councillers job is gone. Looks like he'll have to head back to the Gresham untill the next general election. Thank God the dual mandate's been abolished.

ssh

Originally posted by Cork
Royston Brady is a FF canidate. He is not an independent and he does not have an independant policy platform.

It's one thing to say "Check their website for policies". It's another to hear someone *argue* in favour of those policies and explain the thinking behind them. Even that arsewit ML McDonnell can do that.

If he gets elected, he can hardly say "Please check the FF website for my answer to that". He has not presented a single view nor demontrated any understanding of any european issue that I can think of.

I cannot understand why you are backing him so strongly. He's a woeful candidate and it reflects poorly on FF and Ireland as a whole that people of his intellectual agility can even get to the point of running for MEP.

sixtysix

i think the scare over roystons opinions on the dublin bombings was really a fianna fail tactic to scuttle him -panic was setting in on the fianna fail team.

Cork

Originally posted by ssh


I cannot understand why you are backing him so strongly. He's a woeful candidate and it reflects poorly on FF and Ireland as a whole that people of his intellectual agility can even get to the point of running for MEP.

Looks like he'll have to head back to the Gresham untill the next general election.

He did a CERT course. So what?

Why does working in the tourisim sector deprieve you from running for office?

FF is open to everybody. It does not depend on background, class, educational achievement etc.

FF believes that with hard work you can achieve. It is not based on smoked saloman socialism or petty snobbery.

I hope that Royston is elected. He stood for FF. A party that is Pro EU. A party that secured billions in EU aid for this country. (Thanks Albert).

I hope that many others in the tourism sector will also run for office. People who work in this sector, work hard. FF is open to all and it is a party that party membership and political advancement is not based on elitest criteria.

joolsveer

Originally posted by Cork

FF is open to everybody. It does not depend on background, class, educational achievement etc.

FF believes that with hard work you can achieve. It is not based on smoked saloman socialism or petty snobbery.

FF. A party that is Pro EU. A party that secured billions in EU aid for this country. (Thanks Albert).

FF is open to all and it is a party that party membership and political advancement is not based on elitest criteria.

FF a party for those who like to feather their nests at the public's expense?

ssh

Originally posted by Cork
I hope that many others in the tourism sector will also run for office. People who work in this sector, work hard. FF is open to all and it is a party that party membership and political advancement is not based on elitest criteria.

That quite simply is not true. Royston is a member of one of the two big FF north side clans. He wouldn't be where he is today if that were not the case.

Though I note with some amusement that you yet again have failed to answer the criticisms levelled at you and Royston. Please answer this question:

Do you feel it is acceptable that a politician is running for a position where he will be expected to debate and backup his opinions refuses to do so during his election campaign?

Cork

Many EU canidates were debating issues with regards to issues that had nothing to do with the EU.

Political Partys have party policies with regards to the EU.

I would prefer a canidate meeting with the public than swanning aroung into radio stations.

But a certain amount of press coverage is indeed necessary.

But I did not hear any indeph interviews with any other EU canidates.