The media have described some runners in the European elections as alternative candidates, mostly not warranting air time or press coverage. These candidates are not alternatives, as the media impose, they are legitimate options who are representative of the desire for change in this country. Over the next three days I'm going to post some quick reviews of the European candidates who could make a difference.
Presently the state is run and controlled by two parties, both of whom have caused the Irish people endless grief for decades. Generation after generation our people have suffered, afraid to hope for something better in case we're branded traitors or radicals.
Of course we also have the vanquished Labour party who supported the austerity government. They lost the support of the people after party elites compromised the parties core principles by supporting a capitalist regime that only benefits the wealthy.
For this reason I'm not covering candidates from three parties who already have established roots and friends in the media. I also won't be covering pro life lefties who are anti immigration or confused Irexit wannabes who forget which country they live in, and for some what planet they live on.
So I begin with the Midlands North West constituency:
Luke Flanagan smashed onto the Irish political scene standing up for farmers, a job the establishment was meant to do as part of bread and butter politics. Luke has been branded Ming Flanagan for his caricature likeness to Ming the Merciless. Potentially one of the hippiest candidates in Europe, Luke topped the poll last time out in one of the most western and conservative outposts in Europe. In most countries this would be a landmark victory, reason for celebration, and courted by the press, but not in Ireland. Luke Flanagan has for most part engaged with the people he represents in person or through social media. He has reintroduced many to politics and European politics and has done so through his own channels.
Saoirse McHugh is running for the Green Party and has potential to be Ireland's AOC representing a younger generation who want to get serious about climate action. SMH is a feisty Achill Island native with all the passion and desire to represent a generation who demand real change. If you want something totally different you got to vote for someone totally new and theirs no one more on brand for change than Saoirse.
Matt Carthy currently sits as a Sinn Féin MEP but can't make up his mind about whether he's in this race or if he'll stand as a candidate for the Dail in the next election. I wish him the best of luck as a TD, perhaps that's what his party demands, but just as in sports mistakes get punished, and at the very top level they deserve to be punished. If Matt can't commit to the term he shouldn't be in the race, his presence divides the vote and reduces the opportunity to deliver a revolution in Irish politics. However the Sinn Fein faithful are likely to vote him through and he's worthy of a number two vote on the ballot paper.
Cyril Brennan might yet become the voice of the left in the West, although you might not have seen him on TV as he represents Solidarity/People Before Profit. That said there isn't a single issue Cyril isn't outspoken on and he'd liven up any old RTE debate should they care to leave the left speak. Cyril is also running in the local elections for Donegal County Council where he's more likely to cut the mustard and build a stronger profile.
Olive O’Connor is a woman on a mission, driven by personal circumstances she has become a health care advocate who wants to bring greater attention to the failings of the Irish health system, with the hope of getting enough support to fix those issues. It's worth your time listening out for Olive, whether this becomes a platform to the political arena for her or an opportunity to rally support for her cause, she's fighting for all of us.
Presently the state is run and controlled by two parties, both of whom have caused the Irish people endless grief for decades. Generation after generation our people have suffered, afraid to hope for something better in case we're branded traitors or radicals.
Of course we also have the vanquished Labour party who supported the austerity government. They lost the support of the people after party elites compromised the parties core principles by supporting a capitalist regime that only benefits the wealthy.
For this reason I'm not covering candidates from three parties who already have established roots and friends in the media. I also won't be covering pro life lefties who are anti immigration or confused Irexit wannabes who forget which country they live in, and for some what planet they live on.
So I begin with the Midlands North West constituency:
Luke Flanagan smashed onto the Irish political scene standing up for farmers, a job the establishment was meant to do as part of bread and butter politics. Luke has been branded Ming Flanagan for his caricature likeness to Ming the Merciless. Potentially one of the hippiest candidates in Europe, Luke topped the poll last time out in one of the most western and conservative outposts in Europe. In most countries this would be a landmark victory, reason for celebration, and courted by the press, but not in Ireland. Luke Flanagan has for most part engaged with the people he represents in person or through social media. He has reintroduced many to politics and European politics and has done so through his own channels.
Saoirse McHugh is running for the Green Party and has potential to be Ireland's AOC representing a younger generation who want to get serious about climate action. SMH is a feisty Achill Island native with all the passion and desire to represent a generation who demand real change. If you want something totally different you got to vote for someone totally new and theirs no one more on brand for change than Saoirse.
Matt Carthy currently sits as a Sinn Féin MEP but can't make up his mind about whether he's in this race or if he'll stand as a candidate for the Dail in the next election. I wish him the best of luck as a TD, perhaps that's what his party demands, but just as in sports mistakes get punished, and at the very top level they deserve to be punished. If Matt can't commit to the term he shouldn't be in the race, his presence divides the vote and reduces the opportunity to deliver a revolution in Irish politics. However the Sinn Fein faithful are likely to vote him through and he's worthy of a number two vote on the ballot paper.
Cyril Brennan might yet become the voice of the left in the West, although you might not have seen him on TV as he represents Solidarity/People Before Profit. That said there isn't a single issue Cyril isn't outspoken on and he'd liven up any old RTE debate should they care to leave the left speak. Cyril is also running in the local elections for Donegal County Council where he's more likely to cut the mustard and build a stronger profile.
Olive O’Connor is a woman on a mission, driven by personal circumstances she has become a health care advocate who wants to bring greater attention to the failings of the Irish health system, with the hope of getting enough support to fix those issues. It's worth your time listening out for Olive, whether this becomes a platform to the political arena for her or an opportunity to rally support for her cause, she's fighting for all of us.
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