Where is Rural Ireland - is it a basis for a new party?

Sam Russell

We hear some independent TDs would like to form a new party to support Rural Ireland.

But where is Rural Ireland?

Is it where the ploughing championship is held? Because that is where rural interests are concentrated. It is where farmers gather in number.

But is it the basis for a political party because the farmers are gathered from every townland in Ireland, and are there enough to vote in TDs that are going to represent there interests? In actual numbers, farmers are not a huge demographic anymore.

Or is Rural Ireland in the small villages that are dying because the 'young ones' have moved to the cities, to go to university, or have emigrated to Australia and Canada?

Would this new party support the small convenience shops suffering because Aldi and Lidl have stolen their business?

Or would they be concerned because Tesco have 'created jobs' by building a mega-store on the outskirts of the local town?

Are the interests of the dairy farmer the same as the suckler herder? Or the tillage farmer growing grain? Or the veg grower suppling supermarkets that sell their produce below cost?

Who would this party support if it got off the ground?

ArmaniJeanss

There's an ongoing thread in Farming which you might like to read.

Would you support a new Rural Political Party — boards.ie - Now Ye're Talkin'

I think it highlights a few inherent problems for any party that attempts to represent one particular group of workers. As within that group there will be people who are pro/anti on a variety of issues - immigration/asylum/refugees, CAP, EU membership, housing/planning, environment/Green, transport etc. Hell, you even get one poster who wants a Conservative anti-abortion position before they get their vote. So it becomes really difficult to get an agreed manifesto in place.

Sam Russell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120542473#Comment_120542473

The problem with a 'Rural Party' is that it can only be a populist, catch all, type of party. that lives for one election and then withers till it dies through internal strife, and dissent.

There are not enough farmers for a farmers party, and, anyway are spread too thinly. Also, many 'rural' residents are commuters into towns and cities so are not 'rural' enough to have views that align with the supposed voter base that the 'rural' party would want.

rock22

You are equating 'farmers' with 'rural dweller'. I live in rural Ireland. And like the majority of my neighbours, i have nothing to do with farming.

the IFA would like you to think that giving handouts to farmers is supporting rural Ireland. But that is far from the reality.

Sam Russell

The original question was 'Where is Rural Ireland?'

The problem with Rural - is what does it include? Small towns like Loughrea, Fermoy? Small towns like Ballinasloe, Killarney? Small towns like Athenry, Mallow? Cities like Galway, or Waterford?

Farmers are no longer a big enough group to be the driving reason for a political party, so a broader grouping is needed. Is 'Rural' a grouping at all?

rock22

Did the government not meet with young farmers in the past few days who declared they are representative of rural Ireland?

Even outside the small towns, most people do not have any links to farming. And rural concerns about habitat destruction and ecological damage often find rural dwellers in direct opposition to farmers.

Farmers have always been well represented by FG and to a lesser extent FF. I cannot see that changing.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120542841#Comment_120542841

As mentioned on other thread, I'd vote for sure for a party representing say the South East region. Less interest in a general rural party that just sends funds west of the Shannon as that's the sexy part where they all supposedly speak gaeilge and live a life of purity.

Sam Russell

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120543837#Comment_120543837

I think you are talking about Michael Lowry Party - Up Tipp!

Quite a few Independent TDs are just 'local' TDs - NIMBY types. 'If it is not a benefit for my locality - not interested'. Healy-Rae springs to mind.

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120543900#Comment_120543900

It's not the locality the Healy-Raes do it for the benefit of.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120543900#Comment_120543900

Yeah, but that model has actually been shown to work. People will vote for a local or regional group that furthers their interests.

CrabRevolution

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120542580#Comment_120542580

According to every planning application for one off housing in Ireland, the applicant works on their fathers/uncles farm in addition to their full time job (while also finding time to care for their ailing mother, who is in such poor health she needs her children living nearby).

Brussels Sprout

Is there a basis for a rural party in Ireland? Perhaps but the devil would be in the detail.

The reason why everyone is talking about it in recent times though is because of the relative success of a new farmer's party in Dutch elections who were formed as a specific reaction to Green policies there to reduce nitrogen emissions.

There is a big difference between a single issue party like that and a vague "rural" party idea that could mean anything to anyone who happens to live outside of a city in this country.

Sam Russell

I think there is a misconception that Green policies are anti-farmer when in truth they should be pro-farmer.

Reducing nitrogen input in farming saves a large cost for farmers if they can achieve the same net income. The use of clover based fodder rather the rye grass gives a nitrogen gain without needing s supplement of artificial nitrogen.

The use of heavy machinery compacts the soil with significant damage to the soil and reduce its ability to support the required biosphere for soil health.

Intensification of farming is not necessarily of benefit for farmers. as an increase in produce output results in a reduction in price, so mitigating the advantage.

Maybe the term 'Rural Ireland' should be replaced. Perhaps replace it with 'Remoter areas of Ireland' or 'The Irish Countryside' as the term rural is like the term artisan - as being meaningless, or rather meaning whatever the user wants it to mean.