Well done to the Socialist Workers Party

Nuttzz

Congrats to the SWP, their rebranding of themselves as "people before profit" was an excellent job and nearly got Boyd Barrett elected, getting 7000 odd votes and 700 first preferences more than Cuffee from the greens. Compare that to the 900 he got in 2002, for those who think Bertie pulled off a con job this has to top it.

wb

Helped by the unfortunate 'leak' over who his mother is.

He got tons of publicity over that, and they call Bertie cunning??

John R

I think his campaigning on a number of high profile local issues over the last few years was much more of a factor.

ferdi

I live in the Dun laoghaire constituency.

Richard Boyd Barrett was the only candidate on the ballot paper who had actually made any kind of effort in local politics. Mary Hannifan and Barry Andrews (FF) who were both elected, have been totally invisible and have not made any attampt to represent any of the issues concerning the people of this constituency. In fact, i had heard or read nothing from the majority of candidates until they were looking for my vote. The exception was Richard Boyd Barrett. He has been tirelessly active in this area on many local issues and whether you agree with his politics or not, you cannot deny his constant commitment to this area and the ordinary people in it.

For me as a young person, he restores my faith in politics. He is active, out there, approachable and driven. I would not class myself as a socialist but at least this guy tries. The rest, FF, FG, PD, Lab and even the Greens, are all full of smiles and backslapping and to me lack an ounce of credability.

In the matter of changing the banner from 'SWP' to 'People Before Profit', can you really blame them? Socialism seems to be a dirty word nowadays and as long as Breakfast Roll Man has his new car in the drive, plasma screen in the lounge and a holiday or two a year, he dosn't care if he has a proper health or transport system in place, he dosn't care if the basis of the entire economy is over-priced toy houses springing up everywhere with no infrastructure around them. Its all about 'standard of living' not actual quality of life.

The White Rose

Richard Boyd Barrett was the only candidate on the ballot paper who had actually made any kind of effort in local politics. Mary Hannifan and Barry Andrews (FF) who were both elected, have been totally invisible and have not made any attampt to represent any of the issues concerning the people of this constituency. In fact, i had heard or read nothing from the majority of candidates until they were looking for my vote. The exception was Richard Boyd Barrett. He has been tirelessly active in this area on many local issues and whether you agree with his politics or not, you cannot deny his constant commitment to this area and the ordinary people in it.

I live in Dun Laoghaire and I voted for a government. I don't care if I never saw Andrews or Hanafin for years - I want them in Leinster House legislating. I didn't need a toilet fixed and wasnt disappointed not to see them at the funeral of a close relative.

This parochialism is ridiculous. We need to have 3 seater constituencies max.

Boyd Barrett would make a great local councillor (as far as I remember he didnt get on the council last time)

wb

I also live in the Dún Laoghaire constituency and as much as I dislike his politics, I'd certainly hand it to him for the work he puts into what he does.

However, unlike Hanafin for example, he does not have to run the department of education, and has a lot more time on his hands. We can't expect TD's and ministers to be out and about knocking on doors as much as Barrett was all through the year. They have the country to run, and that's why we have council and local politics for the likes of the Baths issue.

CiDeRmAn

Sorry to see Joe and Claire not getting elected, Ms Daly is a fantastic worker for the people and Joe needs to be in the Dail, stopping the money hungry fat cats from getting too comfortable while trying to pass themselves off as "socialist"

Dirk Gently

CiDeRmAn wrote:

Sorry to see Joe and Claire not getting elected, Ms Daly is a fantastic worker for the people and Joe needs to be in the Dail, stopping the money hungry fat cats from getting too comfortable while trying to pass themselves off as "socialist"

yeah, very dissapointed Joe and Clare didn't get in. Haven't got much time for the SWP tbh but fair play to RBB for doing so well with one of his latest SWP off shoots.

Victor

CiDeRmAn wrote:

Sorry to see Joe and Claire not getting elected, Ms Daly is a fantastic worker for the people and Joe needs to be in the Dail, stopping the money hungry fat cats from getting too comfortable while trying to pass themselves off as "socialist"

Note the Social Party has nothing to do with the Socialist Workers Party.

mike65

I was listening to RBB on Pat Kennys programme this morning, he sounded like he thought Dún Laoghaire was a hot bed of socialist malcontentment, Olivia O'Leary who was also in discussion, simply put his near success down to
ID-ing local issues and building a platform on the back of them.

Mike.