Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
YOU ARE NOT alone in being sickened with politics and politicians in this country and at a European level. In recent decades the proportion of the population that do not vote in elections has risen significantly because they feel that local, national, and European politicians are corrupt and ineffective. They appear as an elite group removed from the harsh reality of people’s lives and, therefore, do not represent ordinary people. There is no point, many people feel, in voting because politicians have little power to change anything, rarely fulfill their election promises once elected and, essentially, are all the same anyway. These are legitimate opinions based on the experience of the Irish public who have witnessed many unfilled promises, even prior to the 2008 crash.
The current government of Fine Gael and Labour promised a ‘political revolution’ and ‘a fair and equal recovery’. However, in most people’s eyes they have continued the cronyist politics of successive Fianna Fail governments that looked after the ‘golden circle’ of elite civil servants, politicians, bankers, developers, and large corporations. This is visible in the failure to provide meaningful accountability in various arms of the state, the recent proposals to subsidise developers that is likely to result in another housing bubble, and the way in which austerity has been inflicted most harshly on the vulnerable – young people, those with disabilities, lone parents, Travellers, and the unemployed.
Despite the claims of ‘recovery’ recent CSO figures show this is a myth for over a quarter of all people in this country (1,230,000 people) who are suffering some form of deprivation. This is over double the figure of 2007 and includes an additional 180,000 children affected. Another promise that the Government has claimed to fulfil is that of removing the burden of the Anglo bank debt. For example, Labour posters around the country claim they have achieved €30bn less bank debt. The truth is the opposite. The Anglo Bonds were converted into government bonds so we still have to pay the debt (with significant interest) back. €25bn of our total national debt of €176bn is Anglo debt. And €67bn of our national debt is EU/IMF loans. So there is no evidence of any bank debt deal on Anglo or from Europe. And we are now paying over €8bn a year (four times the planned austerity budget in October) in interest on this illegitimate debt.
This is the first reason why voting on Friday is important. You can vote for a party or individual who will highlight the truth behind the ‘recovery’ myth and highlight those excluded; those in mortgage arrears, those facing eviction, people struggling to pay for household charges, doctors bills, or even food; those who can’t find work, community development groups affected by funding cuts and those suffering in silence. Your vote can make these issues be the priority in local councils, the Dáil and Europe.
The second reason to vote relates to democracy and protest. The European Commission, German Chancellor Merkel, and the international financial elite have been able to claim that the lack of protest in Ireland shows that the Irish people accept austerity and will continue to pay back the EU and European Central Bank illegitimate debt. This position has been supported by most of the current Irish MEPs who have shown their contempt for democracy by failing to represent the views of the Irish people in stating that this debt is immoral and unjust and should not be paid.
By voting on Friday for candidates who have taken a principled stand on these issues, you can highlight to Europe that Irish people are not passive or silent but are raising our rights to a democratic and social Europe based on justice and fair treatment.
The third, and most significant reason to vote on Friday is that the large political parties who have governed since the foundation of this state have failed to create a Republic based on the vision set out in the 1916 Proclamation which states that: “The republic guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and of all its parts, cherishing all the children of the nation equally”.
The hope that this can be realised lies in replacing these parties with politicians who actually believe in, and are prepared to stand up for, this vision. You have been told that you are a compliant and conservative people. But many have been protesting this crisis in hidden and grassroots ways from local hospital protests, community marches, boycotting the household charge, blocking water meter installations and voting for the ‘political revolution’ promised in the 2011 general election. Similar movements have taken place across Europe.
The elite state institutions and political parties have failed to listen to the demands for radical change. Therefore, the transformation and realignment of Irish politics that began in 2011 is likely to continue and deepen. You can make a real difference for the ordinary and excluded people of Ireland and Europe and help create a genuine political revolution and a real Republic in this country if you vote on 23 May for candidates willing to challenge the cosy consensus of recovery and austerity.
Dr Rory Hearne is a Lecturer in Geography NUIM, member of Claiming Our Future and former community worker.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
It’s important to exercise your vote, tomorrow is a day that could start some change, but it won’t happen if people don’t get out and vote.
Agree totally james just came from. Court and watched the judge deny a man after ten years of fighting organised white collar crime deny him his constitusional right to basic discovery. Completely sickening.if the people think we live in a demoxracy we do ñot and if you want change keep away from political parties and vote independents
What if you have no faith in any of the people running in your area? What if you don’t trust any of them? Don’t agree with any of them?
Spoil it, that’s the only option available, if you don’t believe doing nothing is better.
If there was a huge percentage of spoilt votes (which is unlikely, I know), it might send a message, on some level, however futile it turns out to be.
Or not vote at all, if a good % of the people decide to not vote or spoil their vote then maybe there will be some chance of change in how our political system is set up.
I also heard that there must be a certain % of the population voting for the election to be deemed ‘legal’, anybody know if this is true?
No it is NOT true.
We seem to think in this country that if we don’t vote things will change but they don’t. Voting is the why to change the political landscape.
Thanks Michael. Wasn’t able to find anything online to back it up so was dubious about it. I mentioned it to the person who originally told me and they then said that this was only the case in referendums??
James I agree with you but what do you do when you honestly believe and feel that there is no person you can vote for? Or that it doesn’t matter who you vote for once they get into power it is very difficult not to get waysided or corrupted
Stand up for yourself. If you feel strongly about your own views then get out there and let people. Unfortunately there are constitutes that are not good to be running but because they have name and the money they get voted for.
That should be candidates sorry, should of read that first
It’s a difficult choice, not something I take lightly and genuinely I don’t know what to do this year. I have always voted and encouraged others to do so but this year I just feel so disillusioned with it all. I don’t feel I can trust anyone running in my area.
Poor lack of choice is a big problem in some areas, it’s a pity.
Brain dead moron statement, a government the likes of what we have now rely on split votes and people not voting to give them power, if you want to make a statement use your vote and enact change by getting in other candidates, remember men and women died for you to vote not spoil them.
If there was an option to bring back British rule then I would vote… otherwise were just replacing one crooked numty with another.
No, the turnout doesn’t matter in referendums either.
I agree with voting independents in as a protest vote, but am reminded – I’m an old man – of the Yippee Abbey Hoffman’s view that if voting ever changed anything they would ban it. Read P63 of The Economist this week “one dollar one vote.”
Time for change
A decision made by Fianna Fail
Without debate within the Dail
A private debt, is socialised
Generations to come, are penalised.
An election called- brings forth our saviour
Another coalition – Fine Gael and Labour
Promises are made – then they are broken
Memories are select -untruths are spoken
Pensions and payoffs, for those on the inside
Accountability as always, is cast aside.
Health’s in a shambles, justice in a state
Welfare’s in trouble, educators irate
Prosecutions don’t happen, witness made a mistake
Notes were not taken, files were misplaced,
Wages are slashed; taxes have risen
Include levies and charges, pay up or face prison.
Ask our leader a question, get a sneering reply
He gives interviews only, to Bloomberg and SKY.
His socialist partner, has become a true blue
Ah! But we know…isn’t that what you do!
Scandals are daily, with culprits exposed
Long investigations and nothing disclosed
“I am entitled” is their oft used refrain
Constant denials, still no-one to blame
Now it is our turn to have a say
And send a clear message on Polling Day
We are your masters, – politicians take note-
You ask to serve us when you canvass our vote
Brilliant. We’ll put
Well put
Well said
Brilliant, great summary of the last few years.
Journal, why are your pop up ads telling me to vote for the little RAT Brian Hayes? Please stop showing me his face!!!!
I’m wondering that aswell, very bias few in my opinion. What about the other candidates. The journal should be impartial.
The Journal is FF this and FF that, and Mary Fitzpatrick this…
Its a great privilege to be able to vote.
Its something that should never be taken for granted .
Get out and vote ,
Things can only get better , well they cant get much worse,
Fingers crossed ………………
Great article..
Really was. Agree with everything 100%.
If people believe (as I and many do) that the ‘radical change’ Rory Hearne talks about (of the entire landscape of democratic and economic governance, here and in the wider Euro zone) is required, then the minimum is to not vote for any of the main parties. Nor is it clear imo that any of the minor parties are sufficiently committed or to be trusted to follow thru’.
Some of the independents or independents’ alliances, such as DDI or AAA show promise, but what we need above all is to send a message to any current or would-be ‘authorities’ that anything less than a comprehensive +process+ of root and branch reform, with real and informed citizens involvement is flatly unacceptable.
If an election result cannot produce that in the next year or so, then I say a total boycott will probably be the only way.
Way too many candidates of all kinds, some thru’ genuine belief, still believe working with current institutional arrangements can produce that ‘radical change’ we need. It won’t.
As a society we need a better class of candidates
Put yourself forward.
As a society we need to start voting for a better class of candidate, many good people never get elected.
Who said that I won’t!!! Next time around
Good on you if you do, if there’s no one out there to stand up for your views, you get out there and try and make things happen
Brilliant article and just about sums it – we are actually worse off now than we were in 2007 and all the lies and spin saying what a great job coalition are doing makes me and many others sick – time for change and good riddance to Enda’s and Eamonn’s lap dogs tommorrow -
Two things which would seriously help are society in politics.
1. Whip system should be illegal.
2. No one should be aloud be a TD for more they ten years.
No point in voting in your local TD or MEP to represent you if some other TD from Mayo is going to tell him/her what to do regardless of your wishes?. You didn’t vote for the TD in Mayo represent you.
We are idiots in this country for letting the whip system operate over us.
Ten year max on being a TD would also always keep fresh blood and modern ideas flowing into Irish society.
Great post Giuseppe
Agree totally
The whip shouldn’t be illegal, it should be used with fervour on all politicians who break their promises, in public with buckets of salt, vinegar and chilli oil free for people to throw on the wounds. Three strikes..after that the Guillotine.
Actually you’re bang on Giuseppe, but the party system will stop it happening all the time the sheep and lemmings vote for them. In an ideal world political parties could be banned and that would ensure TDs have to work for a living to get things done rather than ringing party HQ and retiring to the bar or going on holiday. We can dream on…
Oh I am. And I will. For tomorrow is independents day
Very good!
Great article.
No matter which way you lean politically, do make the effort to vote. Its only an hour of your day for most people and it is your chance to either endorse or protest the current government, councilors and European MEPS.
Make the effort, go Vote!
People died so we can all vote. In Australia you are fined if you don’t vote, and they have over 90% turnouts. At least there is a broad consensus there.
Its the way forward.
The establishment parties WANT as low a turnout as possible because it skews the ratio of the grey vote which traditionally votes either FF or FG. Thats why the elections are on Fridays, whereas referendums that they think will pass are held on Saturdays. The apathy of the younger voter is they’ve been hit so hard by this government.
The youth vote needs to be mobilised properly.
In general it’s not the players in politics that causes the problem, the system seems to chew up the good and spit them out.
Yes there are gobsheens , but they are in every walk of life.
‘Welcome to the machine’
Go vote , exercise your inherited rights and hope some thing will change.
What’s the point in voting, though, if none of them represent your viewpoint? I have a candidate in my constituency that represents my economic viewpoint, but is diametrically opposed to my social viewpoint. Likewise, another candidate agrees with my social viewpoint but is against my economic viewpoint. I refuse to vote Fianna Fail, Fine Gael or Labour. That leaves me with no candidate to vote for, so why should I put a number beside someone that I don’t want elected?
Well that’s why we have proportional representation.
I agree. Most of them didn’t bother coming near our doorstep so it’s hard to know what they stand for from a smiling poster! Of those that did, I have no reason to believe they give a damn about my concerns and God help me but one of the seemingly most effective councillors interested in some of our concerns is a member of Fine Gael and I don’t want to vote for them not to mention that I don’t trust any of them as far as I could throw them. Some of the independents clearly have no interest in my concerns so it is a difficulty just finding one single politician who is worth my vote. Saying that, I’d be damned not to vote at all.
Spoil your vote so. By spoiling you are raising the number of votes required to reach a quota, as well as saying “I don’t like any of these”. I’d still vote against the political status quo if the current system didn’t align with me.
As far as I am aware (and I stand to be corrected), but the quota is calculated on valid votes and not on total votes.
You’re right, my bad. Still a spoiled vote is better than no vote.
you are correct, spoilt votes are take from the total votes cast and that number is then divided by the amount of seats on offer plus one.
What’s the best way to vote? Like do I just give one vote or preference on the ballot paper? How does voting 1,2,3 work?
Best way is to vote who you want in order of preference. You can stop at one, you can give everyone a preference. Your vote could filter down to people you don’t want however, so I would not recommend giving a preference to those candidates. If you wish to optimise your vote highly, give everyone a pref. If you wanna keep FF/FG from gaining so many seats, don’t give them any prefs.
Thanks Keith.
Sensible article .Vote against the establishment parties and send a strong message to the Political class in this country. We need change and innovative alternatives to the parasites that have no interest in changing the status quo. Get out and vote for the sake of our kids.
Plato : “If you are too lazy to Vote, then be prepared to be governed by your inferiors” … little has changed.
Hard to know who to vote for when you don’t want to support main parties and a lot of independents haven’t been tested or hold ideals that don’t match mine, but I think voting for an independent sends a message to the main parties that they don’t have it all their own way,
Most of who are in government now are selfish misfits.
I would vote, but Fingal CoCo in their infinite wisdom decided to take me off the register without my permission. I didn’t notice in time and maybe I should have checked, but it’s poor form.
Nobody else in my household got taken off. I’ve voted in every election in the 9 years I could. Working since I was 16 too. Nice to know my taxes pay for this utter corruption.
I’d prefer of my dictators earned their dictatorship.
Fine Gael. Steady ship slowly and unspectacularly navigating the correct path.
Fianna Fail. Ship is drifting nowhere. In murky waters. Captain was a senior staff member from previous shipwreck.
Labour. Unsteady ship. Compass broken. Could be mutiny.
Greens. No sails. Anchor stuck in sea bed. Hasn’t recovered from 2011 storm.
Sinn Fein. Fast ship. Looks quite attractive from afar. But once aboard the decor and experience isn’t what was advertised.
“Fine Gael. Steady ship slowly and unspectacularly navigating the correct path.”
While you’re out on the high seas, tell enda to keep an eye out for that seismic shift of a debt deal he promised us 2 years ago. Y’know, the one promised before FG turned 30 billion of dodgy prom note debt into 40 years worth of sovereign debt which will cost us twice as much overall.
Richard rogerson???? Should we just take the ON from your surname? ?? Dicky rogers
Yes Les, he seems like the same person, still spouting the same nonsense though!
Hopefully there will be a democratic revolution tomorrow. Up your swiss. Fg and labour.
They are all a shower of hypocrite,s. Vote Sink Fein. FF FG Labour are all useless.
Sinn Fein are no better. We need real change and a new political force. DDI looked exciting on inception but come across as a disorganised group of misfits.
Overall disappointing considering the economic and social turmoil of the last decade. Independents that aren’t totally bat crazy is the best protest vote I can think of.
Phil, sure didn’t contant markievicz give up his life in the stephens green so Tom Darcy could shite on about things.
I have voted since I turned 18 a few years ago. Anyway like most of you, you probably were born in the 70′s,80′s,90s. You have seen many changes happen over the years and most of the time this country was broke.. Even in the Celtic Tiger it was easy credit that fuelled the boom to bust, where we really that well off during it or where we worse off than the recessions of the 70s/80′s?
People often say that the last recession after the Celtic Tiger was worse cause we thought we had money, back 20/30/40 years no one had anything, all we had was ourselves, our community, f*ck all money but we all got by. This was back when interest rates were in double digits, oil crisis, major strikes, devaluation of currency, major cutbacks. We have just forgotten how bad it was unfortunately we have not learnt either that the people we elect most of them are incapable of running this country effectively.
The one constant that has barely changed is our political system and is the root cause of this Brilliant Country losing our sovereignty ,going from boom to bust, not having to choose unemployment or emigration, being taxed to bits & billed for the wrongs of a number of institutions and the complete inept handling of the most major crisis in our history, transfering bond debt to sovereign debt has got to be the worst crime foisted on the Irish people and we will probably never get a deal on it nor will we ever see anyone doing a life sentence for it.
This is all down to the political classes and the connected, Governments elected have messed this country up, short term gains to win the next election, borrowing heavily to get a few extra seats, to get something done it is who you know not what you know, National Budgets compiled short term and whatever the finance minister of the day decides to throw in to suit his party. Nothing medium or long term always the focus on the next election and it is the detriment of this Country. That is why so many people cant be bothered to vote or will protest vote or spoil there vote, the system is broken but I have an axe to grind at the main political parties and I urge you to go vote tomorrow.
MY TIPS for the local and general elections
Fianna Fail- Not even a preference, they messed the best opportunity this Country had, lack of regulation, inept , cronism at its best etc
Greens- Not even a preference, Got giddy going into coalition, brought in the dreaded Carbon tax, supported FF through thick and thin. Wiped out in the last general election. Labour Party please take note.
PDs- Wiped out in last General election, Labour Party please take note
Fianna Gael- Did exactly what they said on the tin in last General election, shockingly they have attacked the most vulnerable in society and hit families the hardest. Most of us voted for them but I wont be making the same mistake twice. They are like Fianna Fail except worse!
Labour Party- Labours way or frankfurts way no its fianna gaels way! Will never ever vote for these again. The entire party deserve to be obliterated due to there smugness and terrible choice going into power with FG. They have lost all there morals and values in power. The Party leader has no integrity, this man has been against property and water charges for most of his political life and he now supports these hardship taxes. He has been given crumbs at the Cabinet table and goes around stating that because of the labour party we made austerity fairer etc
Sinn Fein: Only major party that has not been in Government or in coalition, plays the opposition party very well and does an awful lot of community work. May as well try these out they seem to care about the vulnerable, families and working classes.
Independents: Most are ex Major party players be careful who you vote for or some are a one issue candidate demand more bang for your vote and ask them to tackle more issues.
People before Profit: Great party but they have not reversed a single cut, I still will support them cause the tide is changing, people are just fed up and these are experienced protesters
Anti Austerity: Again unfortunately no success so far but tide maybe changing maybe a lil inexperienced
Direct Democracy: Lads great effort but most people can barely get there head around the current political system and proportional representation. The way things are done in this country no reform will happen to suit the direct democracy mission statement. It is all in favour of the current political system.
Good post Ger! Tomorrow will be the beginning of the end for this oppressive Fine Gael coalition! The country needs a strong leader who will stand up to Europe.
Whether someone goes into politics for the right reasons or not they soon realise that the system is designed to protect the system Number 1. Nobody can fix it from within. Voting for a good candidate is condemning them to a nicely paid futile existence with a hearty pension. They might -if they are lucky- manage to steer the boat one way or another for a little while, but the answer and the solution had never anything to do with boats in the first place. The wrong questions are being answered with the solutions that suit the system. So-called Democracy is a sham the world over. There is “The way things work” -ie. the upper-echelons of the civil service, which never changes- and the The Front that’s slapped onto it. We vote for the veneer. Pick your favourite lump of poo. If you don’t pick you can’t complain you didn’t have a choice. The System is Broken. Time to ask new questions. Begin by ignoring the system.
Couldnt agree more with these sentiments. Died in the wool Fianna Fail, Fianna Gael and Labour voters are too old to change now and any young person with a bit of cop on has left the country. So….the same old turkeys will keep voting for Christmas. Sad but true.
Ok. So you vote one shower out and put another lot in. So where are the options? They are all the same. And you’re bind if you think they give a s**t about you and the general public. Cut their wages, pensions, expenses etc by a considerable amount and let’s see how patriotic they are then. Criminals in suits. The worst kind.
Thank you – very informative and thought provoking article
Sickened is an understatement. Wish I had loads of identies I could vote and vote and vote!
Vote for someone who will do what the well written article says but who is also a democrat. Democracy will be threatened if we vote for misfits hotheads and extremists. We are at a crossroads.
Are there comely maidens dancing at it?
Mary you are governed by fear and what you are saying is exactly what the establishment want you to say. We need real change not new puppets.
mary, so based on your post, what would be the best party to vote for?
Judgement Day!
I ll be voting the local election but not the MEP one as I am anti-EU. Sorry lads !
Then vote for a eurosceptic candidate!
There is no point voting for a skeptical or a non-skeptical pro EU candidate if he/she intends to sit on his/her bum in Brussels and enjoy the talk shops They are all message delivering people
Who is an Irish eurosceptic candidate Jammin? Apols if this shows up repeatedly, this site can be so annoying and stop you posting altogether!
Before the next general election FG and FF should disband – and new parties formed based on idealogical differences- not the current civil war nonsense. It’s the only way the country will have any semblance of a political system.
Strongly disagree with you Rory. Fight back – don’t vote. Frighten the bejabbers out of the system. Only 36% turned out in the UK yesterday. But if you do vote, definitely make it independents.
“I have therefore come to the opinion that the most reasonable recourse for the humanization of society and its institutions is to abandon them and begin again to build a society with a just, equitable and compassionate economy with justice, equality, and reverence for all life insured by the goals and forms of all its institutions.”
- Manitonquat (Medicine Story), native American Elder
I have nothing to add to this. If you want change it is the only way forward.
is Childers one?
*a eurosceptic candidate. I havent a clue. meant for @Were Jammin
Fully agree with all said. But it is a face the overall vote in European elections has declined the numbers show less than half the people that can vote in European elections across Europe bother Total EU turnout%
1979 62.0%
1984 59.0%
1989 58.4%
1994 56.7%
1999 49.5%
2004 45.5%
2009 43.0%
57% Last time did not bother and let 43% decide their future. That says a lot as to what people think about Europe and politics in general
have your say