Chai Brady
Sean Canney
Photo: the phoenix Prominent pro-life politicians who were very vocal during the abortion referendum have retained their seats while prominent pro-choice candidates lost theirs in an election which has changed the face of Irish politics.
Many high-profile pro-choice politicians lost favour with voters including Katherine Zappone, Lisa Chambers, Regina Doherty, Joan Burton, Ruth Coppinger, Jan O’Sullivan, Catherine Noone, Mary Mitchell O’Connor and Kate O’Connell in this year’s General Election.
The 15 TDs who voted against abortion and retained their seats are Aontú’s Peader Tóibín, Fianna Fáil TDs Éamon O Cuív, Marc MacSharry, John McGuinness and Mary Butler, Independents Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, Michael Lowry, Michael Fitzmaurice, Carol Nolan, Mattie McGrath, Michael Collins, Peter Fitzpatrick, Noel Grealish and Minister of State and Independent TD Sean Canney.
With those who campaigned on the pro-choice side being largely snubbed by their voter base, this could point to the abortion debate no longer being a factor in voters’ decision making, with the referendum already passed in 2018.
Pro-life politicians seem to have a more loyal following, but without more evidence it would be impossible to gauge how important their stance on abortion was to voters.
Popularity
Pro-life Independent TD and Minister of State Sean Canney was the only independent politician who propped up Fine Gael in 2016 who retained their seat.
The other five have all lost popularity with the electorate including Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross – both Dublin-based.
The Pro-Life Campaign said in their newsletter that the news about the pro-life TDs was “truly uplifting” and “all of them deserve our heartiest congratulations for standing up for life and prevailing”.
“It is important to mention that other candidates were also elected who are solidly pro-life. Together, they have shown the leadership of the main political parties that the electorate appreciate people who stick to their principles and don’t waver under pressure. Please take time to congratulate these TDs.”