Repeal with zeal!

So with less than a week left to polling day in the repeal referendum, where stands Wexford? I’ll out myself at the start as a committed Yes voter.  While that’ll give a complexion to where I’m coming from, I’d like to think it only colours my thinking but not what I’ll write.

The last week has really seen the campaign emerge into the media on a daily basis. About 2 weeks ago I feared that it might become conflated with the cervical cancer scandal and that it might become the catalyst around which the electorate might turn on an incompetent Department of Health and the track record of previous ministers there.  From canvassing in Wexford it’s clear that people are distinguishing between the two, the issue of cervical cancer hasn’t emerged on the doorstep.

Last week’s decision by Facebook and Google in relation to advertising hasn’t impacted either on the thinking of the electorate. Am I the only one who ignores ads on Youtube and skips to the programme? Possibly not!

What has struck a cord especially with young first time voters is that they may well come out in large numbers to vote. My own experience is that many young voters want to vote Yes and men, especially of my own age, need to have the matter explained and might be reluctant to vote on the day. Women have made their minds up long ago on the matter and I don’t think I’ve met any woman who is a don’t know.

Beyond that there is a curious geography about the canvas. People who live in houses that were built in the last 20 years tend to be Yes. The No message would be stronger in areas of Wexford that were built in the 1960’s. And surprisingly older established areas in Wexford built in the 50’s or earlier seem to be strongly Yes.  Irish of Eastern European origin may well oppose repeal in large numbers.

It’s clear that the urban area of Wexford will vote Yes. Rural areas may not be so clear cut. The No campaign only seems visible on Saturday afternoon in the Bull Ring. Aside from that, little has been seen of it so far around the town.

Has it been respectful? Canvassers on the Yes side are keen to talk to someone if they don’t know. If the person on the doorstep has made up their mind either way, then there’s no point in going further. They may tell you if they are a Yes. If they’ve made  their minds up it’s a case of move on to another doorstep to search out the elusive undecided voter.

Personally I’d say that the level of abuse is on a par with what I got in 1983 when I knocked doors in my own home area.  One notable incident in the last week happened while dropping my Labour leaflets in Castlebridge. A man with a strong Munster accent confronted me on the path in the estate and called me a murderer as he handed back my leaflet. The Labour party, according to him, was finished at the next election and he wouldn’t vote for me. I replied that I don’t want his vote as I won’t represent him and that he won’t call me that on a public street.

I haven’t been canvassed by the no side but the other night I met a woman with a Save the 8^th badge who asked me why I supported repeal. We engaged and she seemed more genuinely curious as to why I think the way so I explained to her my opposition since 1983. We said our pieces mutually with interest and both sides listened. And that was that, wished her well and we both moved off.

At the back of it all I can understand the Save the 8^th and Love Both position. It is clear, whether you like it or not. They are straight up with where they are coming from.  What I have a problem with is the increasing political view that you can say nothing and ignore the electorate as they consider a really important issue  That suggests lack of interest and courage.

There’s still a few days to go.  Attention deserves to shift to our 3 TD’s who’ve yet to make up their minds as to how they’ll vote. Ministers Michael D’arcy, Paul Kehoe and James Browne have yet to reveal how they intend to vote, presumably for fear of having to show leadership on the issue and to explain what they think to their supporters and voters. Cabinet ministers have access to significantly more information and position papers when legislation is being drafted and discussed in cabinet. The cabinet agreed to the legislation and the referendum. And yet there is a stony silence from the Government deputies. If the referendum is lost in Wexford, someone will have to take responsibility.

It is the least the electorate deserve.