One for the Road!

Back in the 80’s when times were tough there was the phenomena of moving statues.  In rural areas late at night people gathered under the light of a full moon to gaze as religious statues were reputed to move.  I must admit to being a bit of a cynic about that. 

So when Fianna Fail’s Aoife Byrne’s trailer with a 8X4 image attached moved last week on the night of the full moon, you can understand why I scratch what little of my hair has survived since the original statues moved 3 decades ago.  My hairdresser rang asking for reassurance that she’ll still have a job after polling day   

Whatever the reason, abandoning a trailer on a dangerous stretch of road is a fool hardy thing. It is unlikely to be a factor that will rank highly in voter’s minds come polling day and the leprechaun responsible might well have brought more attention than inconvenience on the candidate by their actions.  So long as that is all and nobody was injured.

Elsewhere the entry of Paul O’Hanlon to the race will bring a bit of colour to the campaign.  As the weather outside is not the best we may have to wait a little to see his tee shirt, Paul will campaign in the way that only Paul knows best.  Paul says he’s pro Israel and anti-immigration.  Perhaps Paul may at some stage reflect on the reality that Israel was built up by immigrants.  Interestingly while Paul insists that only Irish born people have the right to live here he also lets slip that he qualifies for UK citizenship.  Paul may yet launch his campaign in Whites Hotel.

Someone who did launch a campaign in Whites Hotel was Gerry Adams. He was here to launch John Mythen’s campaign and it was well attended but minds were elsewhere. The recent sudden illness of Anthony Kelly deprived the launch of their popular councillor as he recovered in hospital. Gerry Adams had enough baggage to strain the hotel porter’s back as they made their way to the first floor venue for the meeting. Thankfully from a Sinn Fein point of view there are many who will overlook this reality on polling day.  

Sinn Fein got a sizeable crowd for the launch but by far the biggest crowd of the week end gathered not to protest at water charges but to watch Brendan Howlin open St Mary’s GAA Clubhouse and pitch at Maudlintown.  Long awaited, now in place and supported by funding to disadvantaged areas.  What’s often forgotten is that Wexford still has pockets of disadvantage on a par with major cities in the country.  Investing in social infrastructure is the only way to close that gap. 

Elections are media events as much as they are about voters.  Any candidate hoping to impress will need to get their message across in local media.  Regional papers, broadcasters and free sheets look forward to extra revenue that elections bring.  So too do printers, market researchers, outdoor advertisers because running in any election is expensive, 

Add to that the cost of diesel, paying for meals for supporters when you are out for a day canvasing, cost of tickets to support raffles and fund raisers which candidates like to be associated with, phone bills for following up queries that arise on the doorstep.  Candidates are supposed to have deep pockets.  Whether they do or not, it’s not the point. It is what people believe so it’s not for the faint hearted and when the canvas is over all spending must be reconciled for SIPO.  There are limits on donations that you can accept.  A decent campaign will set you back about €15,000.  A winning campaign will cost double that.

Tucked away inside this week’s Wexford People, Mayor Ger Carthy mentions that he has several people backing him financially.  The inference is that the great and good of the Barony of Forth and Bargy are rattling the collection bucket to fund his campaign.  Good luck to them on that but the legal maximum they can pony up for this pleasure is the princely sum of €600.

I started by reminiscing about the 80’s so I’ll finish in that vein.  In 1982 we had 2 elections in a row, Is it a case of Back to the Future?