Paul Murphy + Referendum posters

For Forks Sake

Why do I see the face of Paul Murphy (unelected) MEP for Dublin on Vote No posters, not only in his constituency, but as far afield as Cork and Galway? Just pulling a stroke to raise his fairly non-existent profile? Or a distraction technique from the utter lack of any real/workable alternatives on the SWP/ULA camp?

Scofflaw

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Why do I see the face of Paul Murphy (unelected) MEP for Dublin on Vote No posters, not only in his constituency, but as far afield as Cork and Galway? Just pulling a stroke to raise his fairly non-existent profile? Or a distraction technique from the utter lack of any real/workable alternatives on the SWP/ULA camp?

I'm not sure, although I notice some of the No posters also carry the slogan "for a Socialist Europe". That's usually for elections rather than referendums, so I suspect that the left in general here (including Sinn Fein) are using the referendum perhaps primarily as a vote-boosting publicity opportunity.

Judging by the polls, that seems to be working rather better for them than actually pushing a No vote.

cordially,
Scofflaw

The Waltzing Consumer

He also seems to be an absolute hypocrite after him and his party accuse other parties of using scare tactics...

http://www.newstalk.ie/2012/news/new-poll-shows-an-increase-in-support-for-the-eu-fiscal-treaty/

...to then come out with this whopper

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/ula-yes-vote-would-mean-permanent-austerity-551529.html

"United Left Alliance MEP Paul Murphy has said voting 'Yes' in the referendum will lead to "permanent austerity" in Ireland."

:eek: I don't think I have read a more over-the-top reaction and threat by any other person in both sides.

meglome

The Waltzing Consumer wrote: »

"United Left Alliance MEP Paul Murphy has said voting 'Yes' in the referendum will lead to "permanent austerity" in Ireland."

:eek: I don't think I have read a more over-the-top reaction and threat by any other person in both sides.

You know I liked some of what he had to say initially but the more I listen to him the most I realise he's full of it. He's very quick to check on what the government is saying but very slow indeed to check on what he says himself.

Fussgangerzone

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Why do I see the face of Paul Murphy (unelected) MEP for Dublin on Vote No posters, not only in his constituency, but as far afield as Cork and Galway? Just pulling a stroke to raise his fairly non-existent profile? Or a distraction technique from the utter lack of any real/workable alternatives on the SWP/ULA camp?

Well, that's the ULA campaign, so if they have no members in an area, it might make sense to show their own MEP.

Personally, I support the SP, and I respect the fact that they're willing to put their faces on their posters, I think it shows they're putting their money where their mouth is. Ganley won't put his mug on Libertas posters because so many people hate him.

Fussgangerzone

The Waltzing Consumer wrote: »

"United Left Alliance MEP Paul Murphy has said voting 'Yes' in the referendum will lead to "permanent austerity" in Ireland."

:eek: I don't think I have read a more over-the-top reaction and threat by any other person in both sides.

Permanent austerity means cuts that don't get uncut. It's not really scaremongering if it's likely to be true in a lot of cases. I think the current approach of our governments, national and European, will make our problems go on for longer, not shorter.

Would I use the word permanent, no, it's too unscientific for my tastes, no-one knows what'll happen next week, never mind in ten years.

Godge

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Why do I see the face of Paul Murphy (unelected) MEP for Dublin on Vote No posters, not only in his constituency, but as far afield as Cork and Galway? Just pulling a stroke to raise his fairly non-existent profile? Or a distraction technique from the utter lack of any real/workable alternatives on the SWP/ULA camp?

To be fair to Paul Murphy, he is not un-elected, it is probably fairer to say that voters forgot to read the small print on the ballot paper and didn't realise that when voting for Joe, they might get Paul.

As for why his face is on the posters, they must be considering running him the next time so they need to get him known.

Lockstep

Fussgangerzone wrote: »

Personally, I support the SP, and I respect the fact that they're willing to put their faces on their posters, I think it shows they're putting their money where their mouth is. Ganley won't put his mug on Libertas posters because so many people hate him.

The government parties did the exact same thing for Lisbon. It's not about being willing to put their faces on things, it's about getting coverage for upcoming elections. With Murphy having never been elected to anything in his life it makes sense he's doing what the previous government did and using this as a chance to get his name out there.