A Mayo View: People want positivity from their politicians
by Caoimhín Rowland
THE people wanted positivity; that is one way of understanding the recent results from the local and European Parliament elections.
Councillor Peter Flynn spoke about the negativity he received during his campaign and expressed delight at overcoming it.
Undoubtedly, it was a dogged few months for incumbents, and success was borne by those who offered light as opposed to darkness.
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, perhaps once Ireland’s best-known sledger, took time during the marathon count to select MEPs for Midlands North-West to reply to Pat Rabbitte, who remarked that this election was memorable for the number of 'fruitcakes and loons' who ran.
Flanagan admitted he was once monikered as such but now his vote in the European elections is greater than the sum of the entire Labour Party.
The Castlerea three-time MEP has had a well-publicised volte-face on the EU, but it is remarkable to witness him now campaign on positive messages, such as his work on CAP reform, allowing him to boast to farmers in Mayo that he secured €60 million more for them. Indeed, during one of his rallies in Tourmakeady he noted, “It’s a lot easier to trap flies with honey than vinegar.”
His result in Midlands North-West of over 110,000 votes gives Flanagan a 'presidential' mandate due to the colossal figure, and he is playing his cards close to his chest over any announcement to run in next year’s presidential elections.
The Ballina Municipal District results were heartening, to see hope rise above at the polling booth.
A slew of Independent anti-immigration campaigners ran. They were roundly defeated.
Elsewhere in north Mayo, Fine Gael held on to Jarlath Munnelly and his seat in Killala remains.
The Round Tower almost had two councillors, with Dave Alexander of Fianna Fáil polling stronger than predicted, but it wasn’t to be for Alexander on this occasion.
It was striking how many of Munnelly’s fellow councillors of a different persuasion expressed their wish to see him hold onto his seat while those in Fine Gael HQ appeared nonplussed.
The European Parliament elections go to show that the less people know about you, the better your chances are.
Nina Carberry was a total no-show during the campaign when it came to media duties. The party consistently offered MEP Maria Walsh for debates at any moment, and she shone on RTÉ’s disastrous Upfront programme.
Sinn Féin similarly gave Chris MacManus the task of dealing with most press events.
His incumbency gave him an expected superiority, yet it was the former MP from Tyrone, whom many of her fellow candidates monikered 'Gilderwho' during the campaign, who came closest to retaining the seat.
The Harris hop can’t be forgotten - the Duracell bunny who manages to outpace even his own security detail while impressively shaking more hands than a hungry bachelor attempting to score a full meal at a wake.
A video of the Fine Gael campaign utilised the incredible 'Spark Song' by the talented children in Cork.
The Kabin Studio made a statement asking for political parties not to use it for their cause, but it was too late. That song, brimming with positivity and youthful energy, encapsulated Fine Gael under Simon Harris.
They’re not hopping; they’re swinging into a general election at the height of their powers, yet it’s a reminder that pride comes before a fall.
Harris has already been quick out of the traps, harpooning Sinn Féin with what he calls 'Mary-Lousplaining' - an attempt to turn the misogynistic practice onto his opposition.
It seems the only party that can prevent a historic term in government for Fine Gael is Sinn Féin.
The growth of right-wing smaller parties such as Aontú and Independent Ireland, who have shared increasing spoils from disenchanted FFG voters, will serve to benefit the status quo.
Both parties have picked up seats in this county and will aim for a general election bid soon.
While any hint of a merger on the left from the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Labour Party is just journalists filling column inches, a post-election pact may emerge to exclude the aforementioned centre-right parties from government, but a pre-election amalgamation is never going to happen.