Is it time for a new political party?

CantGetNoSleep

The argument over who are more incompetent of FF, FG and and Labour is probably best answered when we consider the fact that the 2007 general election was there for any party to win and we know who won it, and no-one else seems to be suggesting a way out of it.

How do we think a new party would do in the next election?

I am talking about a party which is not aiming to be a new PDs or Greens, but one which would run candidates in all 43 constituencies. A young party. One which would not sell its soul for the sake of a few seats around the cabinet table. A party of the people, not of rhetoric. A party when genuine ideas, not claiming to make Ireland suddenly become a global economic superpower, but that will end the wastage, stupidity and corruption which leaves us in an even worse position than we could potentially find ourselves in.

The first principle of this party would be openness. It would aim to win a significant number of seats not through an expensive Libertas type campaign, but by getting out on the streets talking to people, ringing radio phone ins and in particular, getting in touch with people through the internet, using Twitter, Facebook and even sites like Boards.

The key to this openness would be the party website. It would contain a section where we publish every single telephone bill, donation, trip we take, flyer we print etc, with expenses accounted for to the last cent and people openly allowed to scrutinise these. The next thing regarding openness would be the candidates. They would be hard working, young, intellingent. Probably recruited from unemployed graduates, accountants, engineers, solicitors. But it would be open to anyone that can show they are popular, capable and willing, regardless of origin, education or socio-economic background. Most importantly they would have to show they are becoming politicians to give their constituents a change from what we currently have, rather than for the perks of the job. The main way they would do this is by taking a pledge, as a party, to do the work of a TD for a relatively small salary, say €40,000, with absolutely zero expenses. I am aware of the difficulties of this. But it would require dedication, 80 hour weeks, volunteers to help out etc. If we could not get the entire Oireachtas to take a similar pay cut, the remainder of our salaries would go into a local charity fund for each constituency, which once again would be completely transparent.

How feasible do people think it is to set up a party like this? The most important point would be to emphasise that this is about genuine change, rather than simply taking advantage of the current dissatisfaction of the Irish people towards our politicians. The first part of this change would then need to be that the election budget would be very very low. It would be next to impossible to make this work in my opinion, but it would all depend on finding 100 or so people willing to seek genuine change for their area, and willing to put every ounce of time and energy they posess into this will in the 3 months preceeding the next general election.

Any thoughts?

Indubitable

A new radical socialist party should do the trick.

CantGetNoSleep

I'm not sure, Irish people are too lazy for anarchy on the streets, they prefer to sit in their rent allowance paid for house collecting their dole to do that I think, I would think a more centrist party could be feasible. A radical socialist part sounds great, but would you get genuinely intelligent people to join it? Or just hippies refusing to wear a tie? I think it would fall apart when challenged by the experience and waffle spewed out by current politicians

galwayrush

Intelligent and qualified people in Government would be a radical change.

Indubitable

galwayrush wrote: »

Intelligent and qualified people in Government would be a radical change.

There is a first time for everything.

CantGetNoSleep

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

A party of the people, not of rhetoric.

Ok. Interesting.

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

A party when genuine ideas, not claiming to make Ireland suddenly become a global economic superpower, but that will end the wastage, stupidity and corruption which leaves us in an even worse position than we could potentially find ourselves in.

The first principle of this party would be openness. It would aim to win a significant number of seats not through an expensive Libertas type campaign, but by getting out on the streets talking to people, ringing radio phone ins and in particular, getting in touch with people through the internet, using Twitter, Facebook and even sites like Boards.

The key to this openness would be the party website. It would contain a section where we publish every single telephone bill, donation, trip we take, flyer we print etc, with expenses accounted for to the last cent and people openly allowed to scrutinise these. The next thing regarding openness would be the candidates. They would be hard working, young, intellingent. Probably recruited from unemployed graduates, accountants, engineers, solicitors. But it would be open to anyone that can show they are popular, capable and willing, regardless of origin, education or socio-economic background. Most importantly they would have to show they are becoming politicians to give their constituents a change from what we currently have, rather than for the perks of the job. The main way they would do this is by taking a pledge, as a party, to do the work of a TD for a relatively small salary, say €40,000, with absolutely zero expenses. I am aware of the difficulties of this. But it would require dedication, 80 hour weeks, volunteers to help out etc. If we could not get the entire Oireachtas to take a similar pay cut, the remainder of our salaries would go into a local charity fund for each constituency, which once again would be completely transparent.

How feasible do people think it is to set up a party like this? The most important point would be to emphasise that this is about genuine change, rather than simply taking advantage of the current dissatisfaction of the Irish people towards our politicians. The first part of this change would then need to be that the election budget would be very very low. It would be next to impossible to make this work in my opinion, but it would all depend on finding 100 or so people willing to seek genuine change for their area, and willing to put every ounce of time and energy they posess into this will in the 3 months preceeding the next general election.

That all looks suspiciously like rhetoric.

Biggins

I'm just waiting for liberal.ie to go public.

CantGetNoSleep

Biggins wrote: »

I'm just waiting for liberal.ie to go public.

Saw that in a sig, what is it?

Pauleta

We need a strong center right party. The sudden urge for socialism is very worrying.

Wolfe Tone

Im just biding my time until I set one up......Then I will show them People before Profit guys how to march on Dublin properly!!!!!*










*Take the train!

Tail Wagger

You have some good thoughts in there, it's putting it into practice that is the problem and sticking to it.

A new Political Party may work but it would need to have some big household names to attract the type of people you are talking about. The likes of Ben Dunne or Ryan Air's man Michael O' Leary. I certainly agree with a new vein of blood going into politic's with the younger generation fe/male's stepping forward and going for broke.

I was involved in canvassing for the Labour Party in our last local election and the amount of people who said they'd never vot for F/F again was astonishing? the only problem was they (either) didn't bother to vote or if they did they told lies?

Biggins

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Saw that in a sig, what is it?

Was for a few days a site that was up and running (saying the equivalent of "coming soon"), only to be placed with a standard host company message.

Through some research, I found out who was/is behind it.

Thomas828

We've already got two right-wing parties, FF and FG. We need a proper left-wing party.

Biggins

Thomas828 wrote: »

We've already got two right-wing parties, FF and FG. We need a proper left-wing party.

Left or right - I'd be happy just to see an honest, clear one to start with.

Prof.Badass

Thomas828 wrote: »

We've already got two right-wing parties, FF and FG. We need a proper left-wing party.

We already have plenty of left-wing parties. What we need is a party that is socially liberal.

El Weirdo

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Any thoughts?

Yes. I think that the quote in your sig is attributed to the wrong person.

Des Carter

Honestly I cant see it changing cause if we are being honest FF are in full control as corruption is so high. I mean they drink with high up in RTE and the heads of the major unions. I mean they are even going to get this Croke Park deal thing through FFS. Its ridiculous.

oppenheimer1

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

The argument over who are more incompetent of FF, FG and and Labour is probably best answered when we consider the fact that the 2007 general election was there for any party to win and we know who won it, and no-one else seems to be suggesting a way out of it.

How do we think a new party would do in the next election?

I am talking about a party which is not aiming to be a new PDs or Greens, but one which would run candidates in all 43 constituencies. A young party. One which would not sell its soul for the sake of a few seats around the cabinet table. A party of the people, not of rhetoric. A party when genuine ideas, not claiming to make Ireland suddenly become a global economic superpower, but that will end the wastage, stupidity and corruption which leaves us in an even worse position than we could potentially find ourselves in.

The first principle of this party would be openness. It would aim to win a significant number of seats not through an expensive Libertas type campaign, but by getting out on the streets talking to people, ringing radio phone ins and in particular, getting in touch with people through the internet, using Twitter, Facebook and even sites like Boards.

The key to this openness would be the party website. It would contain a section where we publish every single telephone bill, donation, trip we take, flyer we print etc, with expenses accounted for to the last cent and people openly allowed to scrutinise these. The next thing regarding openness would be the candidates. They would be hard working, young, intellingent. Probably recruited from unemployed graduates, accountants, engineers, solicitors. But it would be open to anyone that can show they are popular, capable and willing, regardless of origin, education or socio-economic background. Most importantly they would have to show they are becoming politicians to give their constituents a change from what we currently have, rather than for the perks of the job. The main way they would do this is by taking a pledge, as a party, to do the work of a TD for a relatively small salary, say €40,000, with absolutely zero expenses. I am aware of the difficulties of this. But it would require dedication, 80 hour weeks, volunteers to help out etc. If we could not get the entire Oireachtas to take a similar pay cut, the remainder of our salaries would go into a local charity fund for each constituency, which once again would be completely transparent.

How feasible do people think it is to set up a party like this? The most important point would be to emphasise that this is about genuine change, rather than simply taking advantage of the current dissatisfaction of the Irish people towards our politicians. The first part of this change would then need to be that the election budget would be very very low. It would be next to impossible to make this work in my opinion, but it would all depend on finding 100 or so people willing to seek genuine change for their area, and willing to put every ounce of time and energy they posess into this will in the 3 months preceeding the next general election.

Any thoughts?

All new parties seem to be either the hard left/right and single issue. These cannot appeal to large sections of the population, certainly not in the numbers that will allow them to get elected. The new parties, like Amhran Nua and People before profit alliance, promise the sun moon and stars, but they are outside the system. They need defectors from insiders in order to give them the guidance that comes with experience.

There is room for a new party of the centre, the problem though is if you're entirely honest with the electorate they won't elect you. The truth is unpalatable, especially in todays climate. Politics in Ireland is quite tribal and many will vote for the party they always have even if its a potted plant they put up. For a new party to make a real impact they would have to soak up all the floating votes to be even in with a chance.

The best chance for change is a split in the existing big parties.

oppenheimer1

Des Carter wrote: »

Honestly I cant see it changing cause if we are being honest FF are in full control as corruption is so high. I mean they drink with high up in RTE and the heads of the major unions. I mean they are even going to get this Croke Park deal thing through FFS. Its ridiculous.

In the grand scheme of things Ireland is not corrupt.

bluecatmorgana

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

The argument over who are more incompetent of FF, FG and and Labour is probably best answered when we consider the fact that the 2007 general election was there for any party to win and we know who won it, and no-one else seems to be suggesting a way out of it.

How do we think a new party would do in the next election?

I am talking about a party which is not aiming to be a new PDs or Greens, but one which would run candidates in all 43 constituencies. A young party. One which would not sell its soul for the sake of a few seats around the cabinet table. A party of the people, not of rhetoric. A party when genuine ideas, not claiming to make Ireland suddenly become a global economic superpower, but that will end the wastage, stupidity and corruption which leaves us in an even worse position than we could potentially find ourselves in.

The first principle of this party would be openness. It would aim to win a significant number of seats not through an expensive Libertas type campaign, but by getting out on the streets talking to people, ringing radio phone ins and in particular, getting in touch with people through the internet, using Twitter, Facebook and even sites like Boards.

The key to this openness would be the party website. It would contain a section where we publish every single telephone bill, donation, trip we take, flyer we print etc, with expenses accounted for to the last cent and people openly allowed to scrutinise these. The next thing regarding openness would be the candidates. They would be hard working, young, intellingent. Probably recruited from unemployed graduates, accountants, engineers, solicitors. But it would be open to anyone that can show they are popular, capable and willing, regardless of origin, education or socio-economic background. Most importantly they would have to show they are becoming politicians to give their constituents a change from what we currently have, rather than for the perks of the job. The main way they would do this is by taking a pledge, as a party, to do the work of a TD for a relatively small salary, say €40,000, with absolutely zero expenses. I am aware of the difficulties of this. But it would require dedication, 80 hour weeks, volunteers to help out etc. If we could not get the entire Oireachtas to take a similar pay cut, the remainder of our salaries would go into a local charity fund for each constituency, which once again would be completely transparent.

How feasible do people think it is to set up a party like this? The most important point would be to emphasise that this is about genuine change, rather than simply taking advantage of the current dissatisfaction of the Irish people towards our politicians. The first part of this change would then need to be that the election budget would be very very low. It would be next to impossible to make this work in my opinion, but it would all depend on finding 100 or so people willing to seek genuine change for their area, and willing to put every ounce of time and energy they posess into this will in the 3 months preceeding the next general election.

Any thoughts?

I would love the idea of a new party full of intelligent experienced people however to be honest I wouldnt do that job for that amount of money considering the media is going to make you look like crap and lets face it people are going to hate you unless you work miracles.

Des Carter

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

In the grand scheme of things Ireland is not corrupt.

Completely disagree just look at how often FF were in power. Also the examples are endless from Bertie taking money for himself to the Lisbon treaty being forced in to the whole Shell thing in Mayo and how RTE always seems to support them.

Euro_Kraut

Small parties tend to have a very short shelf life in Ireland.

PDs - gone
Workers Party - gone
Clann na Poblachta - gone
Clann na Talamgh - gone
Democratic Left - gone
The Green Party - could be gone after the next GE.

In 1926 we had 4 parties. Labour, Sinn Fein, FG and FF. After the next elections we could be right back to that.

Irish people have an awful habit of blaming small parties for the ills of the country. Look at the vitrol the PDs got over the past 10 years and the same treatment currently being dished out to the Greens. The establishment do not like these upstarts and are good at putting them down.

Perhaps the best approach it for groups of like minded people to become involved in the current parties and help shape them internally.

Cheap Thrills!

Biggins wrote: »

I'm just waiting for liberal.ie to go public.

Very interesting.....just checked out the domain, Colm O'Gorman !!
Always liked the man.

Is the website imminent do you know Biggins...?

Can't see anything on his own website :cool:

oppenheimer1

Des Carter wrote: »

Completely disagree just look at how often FF were in power. Also the examples are endless from Bertie taking money for himself to the Lisbon treaty being forced in to the whole Shell thing in Mayo and how RTE always seems to support them.

One potentially corrupt man does not a corrupt country make. I disagree with the other points you raised. Ireland gets an excellent score on world corruption league tables frequently. The way some people go on here you'd swear you had to give a backhander to everyone in order to get anything done.

Biggins

Cheap Thrills! wrote: »

Very interesting.....just checked out the domain, Colm O'Gorman !!
Always liked the man.
Is the website imminent do you know Biggins...?
Can't see anything on his own website :cool:

I haven't heard anything lately. I'm curious as to if it will be up and running by the next elections.

CantGetNoSleep

Euro_Kraut wrote: »

Small parties tend to have a very short shelf life in Ireland.

PDs - gone
Workers Party - gone
Clann na Poblachta - gone
Clann na Talamgh - gone
Democratic Left - gone
The Green Party - could be gone after the next GE.

In 1926 we had 4 parties. Labour, Sinn Fein, FG and FF. After the next elections we could be right back to that.

Irish people have an awful habit of blaming small parties for the ills of the country. Look at the vitrol the PDs got over the past 10 years and the same treatment currently being dished out to the Greens. The establishment do not like these upstarts and are good at putting them down.

Perhaps the best approach it for groups of like minded people to become involved in the current parties and help shape them internally.

The key would be to start big, with an aim of being a large party, but not selling ourselves out to a coalition unless everything set out in the running up to the election is adhered to. The PDs and Greens would be in much stronger positions now if they had pulled out of Government at an earlier stage

xsiborg

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

A party when genuine ideas, not claiming to make Ireland suddenly become a global economic superpower, but that will end the wastage, stupidity and corruption which leaves us in an even worse position than we could potentially find ourselves in.

The first principle of this party would be openness. It would aim to win a significant number of seats not through an expensive Libertas type campaign, but by getting out on the streets talking to people, ringing radio phone ins and in particular, getting in touch with people through the internet, using Twitter, Facebook

See I was with you right up to there, then I just couldnt read on. There is nothing original in your thinking whatsoever. You seem confused, you want to get out on the streets and talk to people face to face, then you go on to talk about using sites like... twatter and failbook? and then you go on to say candidates would be "hard working... intellingent."

the rest of it from there on? meh... same old rhetoric, more pie in the sky idealisms that can be heard on any doorstep at election time!

at least daniel o' connell and jim larkin did it on a soap box in the town centre, but i'll finish wiith this from Groucho Marx:

"I would not join any club that would have someone like me for a member."

CantGetNoSleep

bluecatmorgana wrote: »

I would love the idea of a new party full of intelligent experienced people however to be honest I wouldnt do that job for that amount of money considering the media is going to make you look like crap and lets face it people are going to hate you unless you work miracles.

You have a very good point, but it is about people willing to stick their neck out, maybe get a few eggs thrown at them, a bit of abuse on Joe Duffy, for the belief that they can actually offer something different. The low-pay is them committing to this, and showing the people they are serious about it

People may dislike you, may hate you, but at least you can say you have tried, and not merely had a half-arsed effort at it for the money

CantGetNoSleep

xsiborg wrote: »

See I was with you right up to there, then I just couldnt read on. There is nothing original in your thinking whatsoever. You seem confused, you want to get out on the streets and talk to people face to face, then you go on to talk about using sites like... twatter and failbook? and then you go on to say candidates would be "hard working... intellingent."

the rest of it from there on? meh... same old rhetoric, more pie in the sky idealisms that can be heard on any doorstep at election time!

at least daniel o' connell and jim larkin did it on a soap box in the town centre, but i'll finish wiith this from Groucho Marx:

"I would not join any club that would have someone like me for a member."

Mind if I ask who you would vote for? Or even what your political manifesto would start with?

Indubitable

The Boards Party.



Imagine all that money and expenses

goose2005

Euro_Kraut wrote: »

Small parties tend to have a very short shelf life in Ireland.

PDs - gone
Workers Party - gone
Clann na Poblachta - gone
Clann na Talamgh - gone
Democratic Left - gone
The Green Party - could be gone after the next GE.

In 1926 we had 4 parties. Labour, Sinn Fein, FG and FF. After the next elections we could be right back to that.

Actually we also had the Farmers' Party and the Businessmen's Party. And btw, SF is a small party, at least in the republic.

xsiborg

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Mind if I ask who you would vote for? Or even what your political manifesto would start with?

I dont mind at all CantGetNoSleep, I am 33 and I have yet to vote, simply because there IS no party that offers a clear manifesto that isn't trying to be "all things to all men", if you get me? I appreciate the time it took you to type out what I would usually term the Jerry Maguire Moment manifesto, and I understand that you are passionate enough about this to take it seriously, but the first thing any party needs is a clear strategy and direction, with clear aims and goals, not just what seems like an agenda for a burning man hippy convention.

The intelligent people you speak of- are there not enough teachers, doctors, solicitors and accountants in the Dail already? They would be considered highly intelligent people- no more of them thanks!

Im not a political person by nature, and I believe there would have been far more constructive replies had you posted this in the politics forum as opposed to AH. Therefore I dont have a political manifesto to put forward other than to tell the electorate:

if you want brutal honesty and transparency, here it is-

"Bend over and grab your ankles, because when we get into power we are going to raise taxes to levels you've never seen before!

ps. We will also be raising the VAT rate on lube!" :eek:

whiteboy

How about a super conservative party

Biggins

whiteboy wrote: »

How about a super conservative party

Done already. Its called the priesthood.

Indubitable

How about anarchy?
Things can't get much worse if this depression mark II is as bad as they say

cherryghost

boards.ie party. I nominate Biggins and dr.bollocko as candidates for the party. It's a win win

Indubitable

cherryghost wrote: »

boards.ie party. I nominate Biggins and dr.bollocko as candidates for the party. It's a win win

I nominate We'llallhavetea.

we'llallhavetea_old

kingofthe3rdyrs wrote: »

I nominate We'llallhavetea.

i have no idea what this is about but i wholeheartedly agree to it.

punchdrunk

we'llallhavetea wrote: »

i have no idea what this is about but i wholeheartedly agree to it.

minister for health and Lolcats

we'llallhavetea_old

punchdrunk wrote: »

minister for health and Lolcats

make poverty history, cheaper drugs now! miiiiiiiaaaaaow?

see, i'd be great.

punchdrunk

cheap drugs? you can has!

we'llallhavetea_old

punchdrunk wrote: »

cheap drugs? you can has!

i can haz a pint and two e'z please? :pac:

Sonnenblumen

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

The argument over who are more incompetent of FF, FG and and Labour is probably best answered when we consider the fact that the 2007 general election was there for any party to win and we know who won it, and no-one else seems to be suggesting a way out of it.

How do we think a new party would do in the next election?

I am talking about a party which is not aiming to be a new PDs or Greens, but one which would run candidates in all 43 constituencies. A young party. One which would not sell its soul for the sake of a few seats around the cabinet table. A party of the people, not of rhetoric. A party when genuine ideas, not claiming to make Ireland suddenly become a global economic superpower, but that will end the wastage, stupidity and corruption which leaves us in an even worse position than we could potentially find ourselves in.

The first principle of this party would be openness. It would aim to win a significant number of seats not through an expensive Libertas type campaign, but by getting out on the streets talking to people, ringing radio phone ins and in particular, getting in touch with people through the internet, using Twitter, Facebook and even sites like Boards.

The key to this openness would be the party website. It would contain a section where we publish every single telephone bill, donation, trip we take, flyer we print etc, with expenses accounted for to the last cent and people openly allowed to scrutinise these. The next thing regarding openness would be the candidates. They would be hard working, young, intellingent. Probably recruited from unemployed graduates, accountants, engineers, solicitors. But it would be open to anyone that can show they are popular, capable and willing, regardless of origin, education or socio-economic background. Most importantly they would have to show they are becoming politicians to give their constituents a change from what we currently have, rather than for the perks of the job. The main way they would do this is by taking a pledge, as a party, to do the work of a TD for a relatively small salary, say €40,000, with absolutely zero expenses. I am aware of the difficulties of this. But it would require dedication, 80 hour weeks, volunteers to help out etc. If we could not get the entire Oireachtas to take a similar pay cut, the remainder of our salaries would go into a local charity fund for each constituency, which once again would be completely transparent.

How feasible do people think it is to set up a party like this? The most important point would be to emphasise that this is about genuine change, rather than simply taking advantage of the current dissatisfaction of the Irish people towards our politicians. The first part of this change would then need to be that the election budget would be very very low. It would be next to impossible to make this work in my opinion, but it would all depend on finding 100 or so people willing to seek genuine change for their area, and willing to put every ounce of time and energy they posess into this will in the 3 months preceeding the next general election.

Any thoughts?

OP - have you tried sleeping tablets?

Biggins

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

OP - have you tried sleeping tablets?

Meow...
LOL :pac:

Coriolanus

How hasn't Amhran Nua not found this thread yet?

Iwasfrozen

Nevore wrote: »

How hasn't Amhran Nua not found this thread yet?

Two negatives equals positive.

"How has Amhran Nua found this thread yet?"

Coriolanus

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Two negatives equals positive.

"How has Amhran Nua found this thread yet?"

Precisely. I'm wondering after his mental state, since he's found the thread, and not posted in it, obviously upset that he hasn't been mentioned up until this point (ie: yet). I'm surprised at you Iwasfrozen, that's a perfectly sensible sentence structure you've chosen to defame.

AskMyChocolate

kingofthe3rdyrs wrote: »

I nominate We'llallhavetea.

An excellent choice but then she'd have to change her username to "Having assessed the figures it is simply impractical for all of us to have tea at this present time" which has too many characters and just doesn't have the snappy ring to it required to grab the public's attention.

xsiborg

we'llallhavetae?

same old politics, just a different party... :rolleyes:

punchdrunk

or we'llallhaveteabutthere'snomilkandweonlyhaveonespoontogoroundsogetinlineyoupeasants?

ScumLord

I'd like to see a party that's acts more scientifically than politically. They should make use of what we've learned and apply the best solutions. I'd like to see an end to Dublin solicitors deciding how farmers should plough their fields just like those farmers don't need to be involved in how Dublin plans it's development but they do need to work together building roads and connections between those communities so they interact and don't become isolated from each other.

I'd like to see allot more local government that encourages people to get involved in the planing and development of their own area and researching and doing as much of that work as they can themselves so their not dependant on outside specialists. All that experience can be passed onto the next generation bringing advanced knowledge into every community.