A little over 2 years ago I stepped out to knock doors for
the Labour Party as part of its #RebuildLabour week end. It was all about
getting Local activists back talking to voters and getting coverage. And so it
was at St Patrick’s Day week end, I knocked the doors dealing with local
issues. Knocking doors became a huge part of my life over the last 2 years.
The
reason was simple. There was no local election and it was about building up the
Labour Party. The party could only go one way and that was up. Despite that we
got slaughtered on social media by the cynics and trolls.
Summer holidays, mid- term breaks became key dates in my
calendar during which I would knock doors, deal with issues, contact the
council on behalf of constituents. Along the way I was appointed a Peace Commissioner
which was a great help for many people who needed forms signed and verified.
2017 turned into 2018 and there was an expectation that when
2019 would arrive the work would stand to me at the ballot box. It didn’t turn
out like that. In 2014 I was the last candidate standing at the final count (despite
the illusion one newly elected councillor has that it was himself). I was
eliminated at 979 votes with all the other candidates elected. In 2019 I was
the last candidate standing at the final count with 989 votes when all the
other remaining candidates were elected.
I’ve
been in politics for over 18 years at this stage, from establishing my
residents committee to schools board of managements to VEC and council
chamber. My views don’t change. As a
student I spent a Summer holiday campaign against the 8th amendment.
To see it gone was a great achievement and to have worked fully on that
campaign in Wexford was an honour not a box ticking exercise for my political
CV.
I am a life long believer in social democracy and equality
born into a largely female family in an era when it was a man’s world. That’s
probably why I spent so much time in recent years as a Director and Chairperson
of Wexford Women’s Refuge. I believe in
life long learning and whether I realise it or not I’m still learning
especially when it comes to the area of domestic violence.
I still remember being lectured in the 1980’s about global
warming and Carbon dioxide and its potential for destruction on the world. Environmental politics has been part of my
DNA from working on EIS in the 1980’s to valuing the need for retaining our
rail network if only to reduce CO2 emissions.
Politics is not all about elections and the counting of
votes. Politics is about solving the issues that impact on people, listening to
them, listening to advice and taking a decision. Politics is not just about providing a
community where there is a safety net for all but it is about working out how
within that net you cover all the holes. Sometimes it is hard, there is no
perfect community with a perfect administration to back you up.
Winning elections is not the be all and end all of how to
contribute to your community. When I was defeated in 2014, I posted on facebook
that the only difference it will make is that I won’t receive a
representational allowance for what I will do. After a few months I remarked to
my wife that it was great to have our winter evenings together and not to be
going out.
Slowly the drug that is politics drew me back so that by
2017 I was back in the thick of things knocking doors. While some councillors
were posting pictures of themselves on
social media enjoying the snow with their family, I tried to substitute passing
on vital information about power outages, water tanker deliveries and restoration
of services. Today it is very much a case of cold turkey.
So thank you to my family who have knocked the doors along
with me over the past few years. I never stood alone and we never stood back. I’m
delighted for George and Maura. They will make a great team on Wexford County
Council but I am so sorry to see Robert Ireton lose his seat, sad for Bridin
Moloney and Nicky Wafer who fought great campaigns but lost too.Thank you to the Labour members who canvased with me in the last 4 campaigns.
A political party label gets a candidate to the ballot paper
but it is people who vote and it is those people you strive to serve regardless.
That is what a councillor should be. Some are no doubt in line for a rude
awakening when the penny drops when that reality strikes. It’s just that I am
not going to be in the room to hear it ding!
Thanks for the votes, thanks for the memories! Taking a
break for the Summer holidays..
