By this point practically every one of you reading this blog will have been visited by a multitude of local election hopefuls, promising the earth moon & stars (and probably delivering on none) should they get into office. Be it an enthusiastic first time novice or seasoned weather beaten campaigner looking for the vote one more time, (conveniently mentioning your father and father before voted by the party he's pedaling) in order to secure one more term.
There was a saying that went 'They're all a pack of gangsters but you want the right gangster working for you!" With the demise of Fianna Fail at the last election, hopes were actually high that the Fine Gael/Labour ticket might actually work. I mean after all Enda was going to burn the bondholders, stop any closure of hospitals and fly into Europe with his cape and S logo on chest to tell Angela Merkel to fuck herself.....
Of course here we are in 2014, Shatter's been shattered, Gilmore continues his deer-in-the-headlight pose when asked about anything, James Reilly - the Freddy Kruger of the HSE - forces closures of hospitals with front line staff like nurses working for 80% of their pay. As for Super-Kenny , Angela's opened her blouse, revealed a bra of kryptonite and forced into the lap-dog position he'll hold until the next general election.
The only thing that bucks this trend is the phenomenal rise in the Independent candidate. If you put together every Independent currently holding a seat in Dail Eireann you would see the satisfaction rate in 27% , higher then any of the other parties. People would rather trust a candidate, local or national, with no allegiance to any party then established groups like Fine Gael or Labour.
On a local front it's also refreshing to see not only local independent candidates, but their age bracket. That the young ones among us are not frightened to knock on a door, look for a vote and portray a genuine love of what they are doing and a determination to put things right.
With this in mind if you are giving you vote to someone (and remember there's no point bitching about things if you don't vote) you should look in the direction of Jenna Keane - a young girl with a knowledge beyond her years.
Here's a little Q&A....
1. Your entry into this year’s local elections seems to have continued a trend of young people embracing politics, what got you interested in what is seen as a thankless job by some?
Any job can be perceived as thankless, and many are. However, that should never play a part in an individual’s decision to endeavour something they may be passionate about. For me personally, I have tried the conventional – third level education for five years, part time/full time employment along the route, but to no avail. None of that keeps the fire in my belly burning – not to sound too clichéd. I am grateful for such opportunities, and they have played an active role in my taking the plunge to, as they say, ‘put my head on the chopping block’. Having been educated in the field of communication, law, media relations and journalism I want to take the non-conventional route and use the skills I have cultivated for the greater good.
With regard to what stemmed my interest in politics – injustice. I have never been affiliated to any political party. In fact, I have avoided it my entire life as I felt it was beyond my reach. But when you live as a young person in today’s society, you can easily succumb to feeling of not being ‘good’, ‘capable’, ‘pretty’ or ‘intelligent’ enough to attempt the ‘unattainable’. It’s time the youth broke the stereotype of the ‘entitled generation’.
2. There are those that feel local representatives have their hands tied with real issues, and that decision making comes from higher up (ie - the Dail) If elected what local issues would you tackle first?
The system continues to operate a closed door policy. None of us really know the limitations a local councillor faces, until we sit in their seat. It seems the lack of change, and the increasing injustice we face as a community has led us to believe that a local councillor does not exercise any excess power above the average person. Whether or not that is the reality, it is time for representatives to step out of the line. As a local councillor, the sole purpose of your job is to represent your people, and to me that means going above and beyond any measure to do so. Waterford needs representatives that are not afraid to stand up for their rights, now more so than ever. If elected my first priority would be to firmly extend community development services to each and every doorstep. Additionally, and in order to do so, we need to start prioritising properly. The groundwork focus needs to be on the people, and the people are feeling defeated. We have a huge backlog in such services, to include counselling services, medical services – services that are imperative to a person’s life. Mental health awareness is crucial for the people of our home. That includes the youth and the elderly generation. It is something that we must rapidly give preference to.
3. It can't be easy putting your neck on the block, deciding to run for office and beginning the arduous task of going door to door convincing people to put their trust in you. How have you found canvassing?
Although I am enthusiastically engaging in the ‘door to door’ duty, likewise I am using my campaign to give the people and our struggles a platform. One of the advantages that a candidate acquires is a public status, and traditionally this is used to boost your own candidacy. However, my approach has been to use such status to emphasize the people and our community. In doing so, I have directed and produced videos for local businesses/markets/youth organisations in an attempt to give them an online presence (as we continue to move forward in a technological perspective). Furthermore, I have taken the same approach with humanity issues in Waterford. For example, ‘The Aftermath of Waterford Crystal’ project which gained unimaginable attention despite the factory closing over five years ago. It reaffirmed the struggle that the former workers continue to face, and not just to Waterford people, but to people all over the country. I believe this is what candidates need to be doing. If they are to be elected, they need to be using their profile to give the people a voice.
4. I think it's impressive that someone can hold such a defiant protest at an iconic site such as the Waterford Crystal regardless of backing or not. what made you do that?
Thanks! What makes me do anything? - My passion to witness change (And possibly my young and energetic nature which helped when enduring the rain!) Speaking frankly, that wasn’t something difficult for me, and should not be observed as a challenging venture. We have become too accustomed to the ‘norm’. There are children starving, people suicidal and continued increases in depression cases here in Waterford. However, my decision to stand there alone for twelve hours seems to have been noted as a successful attempt to highlight the pension dispute. If that it was it achieved, then I am very grateful to have done that for those who no longer can - And that was my reason for doing so.
5. I've been a tally-man for a few general and local elections and the atmosphere within places - like the butler community centre- can be a mixture of tense & tragedy! Are you feeling nervous as that climactic day of counting votes comes nearer?
I’m feeling more nervous for the community, to be honest. I firmly believe that we will witness a huge change in the upcoming elections with regard to the way the voting will precede. My ward (Tramore/Waterford City West) consists of an astounding 18 candidates, eight of which are Independents. The reality is that each person will be faced with a vast amount of choice. I can only hope that people will make an informed decision prior to the completion of their ballot paper. However, following the devastating result of party politics, I think it is safe to say that Independent candidates will poll well (At least that is the general consensus at this stage). But, it is important to note that people need to study each Independent candidate prudently and make a knowledgeable decision.
6. Do you see this as a possible stepping stone to maybe something bigger, like the next general election?
As it stands, my sole purpose is to work with my community. If elected as a local councillor I will be given the opportunity to pursue such. We need someone who will practice an open door policy, someone who will be available to the community at all times. At present, I feel my purpose is to apply the above with the sole intention of inspiring people to unite. I want to boost assurance within our community, offer people hope amidst the grapple and show them they are not inferior. Thus, I believe, the rest will follow suit. Once that is confidently established, then I would hope the people would offer their sentiments with regard my possible running in a general election. But, for now I would hope to execute my duties as a local representative first.
7. I'm guessing you might find a lot of support (like I thing most independents will) at the doorstep as confidence in our Fine Gael-Labour government isn't exactly high! What is your own personal opinion on them?
Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fail have positioned themselves as the ‘superior’, the ‘elite’, the ‘untouchable’ despite their job description entailing that they practice the complete opposite – that being to represent and work with those who have instilled their trust in them, those being the people of Ireland. It seems they have allowed for greed to blind their sense of reality. And this has caused huge devastation throughout the country. Unfortunately, they have built a wall between the people and themselves and are completely unaware of the affects it has caused. And whether that wall was built purposely for their personal financial gain or not, at this point is no longer significant. People are dying, that is the reality. And if this trend in Government continues, we face a bleak and demoralizing future – that being on a much larger scale than it already stands.
8. Have you enjoyed the experience of standing as a local candidate for a local election so far? What have been the highs ( no need for the lows as it's all positive stuff from here!)
It’s been a complete eye opener, in all respects. I too experienced the want to feel like nothing could ever change, as I believed it was the overall outlook for the majority of people in Waterford. But, that is not the case. There are people fighting tirelessly to save our home, and those people are a credit to Waterford. We need that spirit to increase for the want of witnessing change. We need more people to be encouraged, to know their worth, to become aware of their purpose within their community. We know we are the majority but, ‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure’.
9. Do you ever see yourself in the future losing the independent tag and joining a political party?
I can imagine if that ever happens, and I had said here that it would not – someone, somewhere would have screen shot this. (And if not, they will now!) Realistically, I don’t see that ever happening. I have been approached by several parties in the past weeks, both asking would I join prior to or post the elections. To which I have firmly responded with a no. As it stands, I can’t phantom a beneficial reasoning for doing so – apart from the ‘not having to go it alone’. If I am elected to represent the people, then they are the only individuals I should have to answer too.
10. Finally the 5 words people will ask...can you make a difference?
I guess we will have to wait and see! I think my community needs me, not for the person I am or the person I continue to aspire to be – but for the sole purpose of being someone they can relate to, someone they can trust, someone they know will stand up for them and alongside them in whatever they may have to face. Credibly, whether I am an elected representative or not, I am only human. I do not possess any greater power than those who stand beside me, my struggles are not any greater or less than those who I walk adjacent too. We are all equal. The only difference is that I have decided to curb the fear of judgements and the apprehension towards defeat. And that is something I want for each and every individual to flourish in – the freedom of being free.
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