a limerick candidate in the next election

flutered

can we not have an ind candidate in the next general election, some one with the interests of the region at heart, not some political party, when is the last time we heard a local td fight for us on cloud 9 (the dail), independants will again hold the balance of power, look what they have achived in dublin, galway, north tipp and kerry, we should have enough of the yes boss tds by now.

phog

We can, there are usually a good few independents running for election the problem is who's willing to go out and canvass for them.

Who would you suggest we should elect?

flutered

i havent a clue as i am out in the boonies, one should be found asap

Aesop

flutered wrote: »

independants will again hold the balance of power,

How so? If Labour/FG form a coalition the independents will be irrelevant?

liammur

Aesop wrote: »

How so? If Labour/FG form a coalition the independents will be irrelevant?

Well FF have been desperate for Limerick city & county, so any change is welcome.

flutered

Aesop wrote: »

How so? If Labour/FG form a coalition the independents will be irrelevant?

funnily enough they seem to have a habit of looseing them, i am not saying that they will, what is wrong with having some one to fight our corner, how come every one limerick has elected fights only for a political party, WE HAVE TO START some where, some time, why not now, when did we last hear any one argueing in the dail for our city, our county, our region. they just take the money and keep quite.

Aesop

No argument for me on the motivation behind what you are both suggesting but it seems to me you have to unfortunately got to one of two ways.

1. Prioritize political reform. Moving away from big party politics. Tackle issues around corruption, political donations, electoral reform.This has to be a national driven issue. I don't see how un-coordinated independent candidates are in a position to do this. Independent candidates will only drive local issues and a big issue like political reform is outside their abilities. Maybe a new political party too new to be tainted by "the system".

2. Prioritise local issues. Best way to do this is within the confines of the current system because that is the only game in town and that is not going to change any time soon. Basically back the winner of the big party game i.e. vote for candidates that will have a voice within the party and preferably within cabinet. I know people will use Willie O'Dea as an example of how this doesn't work but I'm afraid there is no other way.

flutered

Aesop wrote: »

No argument for me on the motivation behind what you are both suggesting but it seems to me you have to unfortunately got to one of two ways.

1. Prioritize political reform. Moving away from big party politics. Tackle issues around corruption, political donations, electoral reform.This has to be a national driven issue. I don't see how un-coordinated independent candidates are in a position to do this. Independent candidates will only drive local issues and a big issue like political reform is outside their abilities. Maybe a new political party too new to be tainted by "the system".

2. Prioritise local issues. Best way to do this is within the confines of the current system because that is the only game in town and that is not going to change any time soon. Basically back the winner of the big party game i.e. vote for candidates that will have a voice within the party and preferably within cabinet. I know people will use Willie O'Dea as an example of how this doesn't work but I'm afraid there is no other way.

so fintan o toole, tony gregory, ml lowrey etc have achived nothing for their constintuncys, yeah right ted.

Aesop

Well Ted, Fintan O'Toole has never had to deliver to his constituents because he's never been in public office. Michael Lowry and Tony Gregory are perfect examples of independent TD's who hold/held a balance of power in a coalition government and could essential hold a government to ransom for local issues. Take away their positions in government and they couldn't deliver a pedestrian crossing to their local constituents. Do you think independents will be a part of the next government?

flutered

Aesop wrote: »

Well Ted, Fintan O'Toole has never had to deliver to his constituents because he's never been in public office. Michael Lowry and Tony Gregory are perfect examples of independent TD's who hold/held a balance of power in a coalition government and could essential hold a government to ransom for local issues. Take away their positions in government and they couldn't deliver a pedestrian crossing to their local constituents. Do you think independents will be a part of the next government?

it does not matter if the independants hold the balance of power or not, why not give a wake up call to the comfortable crowd, the independants may not be required this term, they may be the term after, so can we not be prepared,why are you trying to knock change, some posters are trying to make sure the boat is not rocked i wonder why.

ninty9er

Independent TDs espouse everything that's wrong with national politics in Ireland. Holding the whole country to ransom over an issue that should be dealth with in a county council chamber!

zuroph

I'll do it, but ye have to pay for my posters. that sh1t ain't cheap.

liammur

zuroph wrote: »

I'll do it, but ye have to pay for my posters. that sh1t ain't cheap.

Well if you are well known, in the right age bracket, have a good understanding of economics, know about the issues facing Limerick maybe some of us could fund you. I would say you would have a fair chance of success.

zuroph

liammur wrote: »

Well if you are well known, in the right age bracket, have a good understanding of economics, know about the issues facing Limerick maybe some of us could fund you. I would say you would have a fair chance of success.

Whats the right bracket? I'd have a reasonable understanding of economics, and know where to get my impartial advice on the stuff I need help on. Top of my list is the stuff our current guys ignored, Shannon Airport, and employment. speed up of the council amalgamation, and a pushing forward of infrastructure which is sorely lacking in the area and reduces chances of attracting jobs.

liammur

zuroph wrote: »

Whats the right bracket? I'd have a reasonable understanding of economics, and know where to get my impartial advice on the stuff I need help on. Top of my list is the stuff our current guys ignored, Shannon Airport, and employment. speed up of the council amalgamation, and a pushing forward of infrastructure which is sorely lacking in the area and reduces chances of attracting jobs.

I would say the electorate will go for younger politicians next time around so maybe in the 30-40 age bracket.
Are there many members on boards.ie?

zuroph

Ill be 28. and, yeah, there'd be quite a few on boards.

liammur

Labour reckon there will be an election around the turn of the year. It would be interesting to see what other members on these boards think of the idea as running as an Independent and what are their main concerns/issues facing them. Probably a good sample of the population as a whole. I often post on the economy thread and that is what I find.

flutered

ninty9er wrote: »

Independent TDs espouse everything that's wrong with national politics in Ireland. Holding the whole country to ransom over an issue that should be dealth with in a county council chamber!

just like aherne, burke, the flynns, calley, no siree they do not do any of thet schit, take off the dff tinted glasses.

liammur

How much would it cost for an Independant to run in an election?

flutered

i dunno, but if one is a teacher they get a donation from the teachers union, if any other profession does the same i do not know.

zuroph

Im sure we could save a few bob getting my posters done for cash

liammur

zuroph wrote: »

Im sure we could save a few bob getting my posters done for cash

If we could get a good few to give a small contribution say in the region of €200 each?

Liam Byrne

ninty9er wrote: »

Independent TDs espouse everything that's wrong with national politics in Ireland. Holding the whole country to ransom over an issue that should be dealth with in a county council chamber!

Interesting, considering the amount of independents that FF is bribing to keep themselves in power........last time I looked it included the disgraced and evicted-from-FG Michael Lowry.

Also interesting considering that a vote for a party doesn't allow the candidate to vote with their conscience due to the ridiculous party whip.

Re the OP, I'm tempted to run myself but I don't think I'd put up with playing politics or the amount of ridiculous bull**** that goes on.....I've been told I'm to ethical and honest!

flutered

liammur wrote: »

If we could get a good few to give a small contribution say in the region of €200 each?

presumeably if one went about it properly one might come across a printer or others who may be glad of change, one may get in political terms a dig out.:)