Becoming a public representative?

Just wondering here has anyone any insight on what it takes to become an elected official?

After having a dream last week where I ran in the upcoming election as an independent(in which I was elected and went on to form my own modern alternative party ) I've started to have serious thoughts about becoming involved in political life.

Along with the dream, I also know someone who at a younger age then I currently am, ran for the city council.
He has recently set up a Facebook page stating his intentions to run in the general election and this has probably had an influence too.

Some background: I've just turned 24, I'm involved in a few sports clubs and hope to get involved in coaching kids next year(I'm qualified to coach soccer to kids up to 12). I'm currently in 1st year Business as a mature student. I'm a very approachable person who has a strong will to help people and I have a great deal of compassion. I know personality wise I could make a good representative.

I can honestly say I'd work for the good of my area and deal with them on a one to one level as much as possible(Council wise that would be possible but the borders are bigger nationally so I'd imagine that would become a bit harder). I'd represent the voice of the majority in my constituency and be bound by no social class(I'm middle class but have friends from all walks of life).

So apart from having the enthusiasm for the job, how does one go about turning it into reality?.

Are there any elected officials here who could give me some advice in terms of how they got started?.

What do you need for background, how do you come up with an agenda, is there a course(tongue in cheek) explaining what topics you need to have a view on before you go out on a campaign trail. Basically how do you go about getting yourself sorted.

Lockstep

I've worked on a few elections in Galway so I'll explain what I can.

First of all, you'd really need to wait for the City/County Council elections. If you're not part of a party machine and aren't a well known city/country figure, then your chances as a political newbie are slim for a General Election.
You could always raise your profile in the City/County elections and a few years down the line, go for the Dáil if it's what you're really after.

Running as an Independant is extremely tough. Pretty much every election has well meaning local figures who run to try and change things but rarely do very well (Galway City Council has 3 Independants but 2 made their names as PDs and one made her name in Labour)

You don't need any specific background to run but being a well known community figure will really, really help your case. Your best bet is to consider what issues you see in Galway and decide what you'd do to change them.

In terms of issues, talking to your friends from across Galway is the best way to keep an ear to the ground, but having knowledge of politics, law and economics is always a good way to go. NUIG offer a course in public and social policy (interdisciplinary degree covering economics, politics, law and sociology) which could give you a fair amount of info.

kickoutthejams

kickoutthejams wrote: »

I've worked on a few elections in Galway so I'll explain what I can.

First of all, you'd really need to wait for the City/County Council elections. If you're not part of a party machine and aren't a well known city/country figure, then your chances as a political newbie are slim for a General Election.
You could always raise your profile in the City/County elections and a few years down the line, go for the Dáil if it's what you're really after.

Running as an Independant is extremely tough. Pretty much every election has well meaning local figures who run to try and change things but rarely do very well (Galway City Council has 3 Independants but 2 made their names as PDs and one made her name in Labour)

You don't need any specific background to run but being a well known community figure will really, really help your case. Your best bet is to consider what issues you see in Galway and decide what you'd do to change them.

In terms of issues, talking to your friends from across Galway is the best way to keep an ear to the ground, but having knowledge of politics, law and economics is always a good way to go. NUIG offer a course in public and social policy (interdisciplinary degree covering economics, politics, law and sociology) which could give you a fair amount of info.

Thanks for the feedback.

Ya I kind of figured you'd need to start locally, and that's what I was thinking of doing as it's not for another year or two anyway.

I knew Arts had politics in it, but I committed to GMIT two years ago when I did the access course and unfortunately the subjects are more constrained. I'm doing economics all right but I taught that would be beneficial on a national level.

I understand the difficulties with trying to go Independent but I don't think any political party represents my entire views or could do so for your local constituency which your allegedly representing.

On a local level is it more about gauging an opinion of what your community wants by talking to them before setting up your mandate??....

mikemac

Where would you be running?

If you're in GMIT, is it for the East?

Lockstep

I'd say business would be grand. Especially if you're running for the City Council which won't be making crucial national decisions but more local ones.

The next Local Elections won't be until 2014, so you have plenty of time to raise your profile and sort out exactly what you want to do/say if you get in.

Best of luck with it. I'm fairly sick of hearing people complain the whole time about the current state of things, it's great to see someone considering taking a more proactive approach and try and fix the problem.

As for political parties, it's always a good idea to get involved in one. The three main parties encompass a wide range of political views. It'd be impossible to find a party which completely matches your views (noone can) but you should be able to find one which broadly matches your vision for Ireland.