‘The Dáil, which is the ultimate theatre of our democracy, has been reduced by the political parties to being just a rubber stamp’, writes Lucinda Creighton
On January 2, I announced my intention to launch a new Irish political party. I made this announcement alongside Eddie Hobbs, who I have long admired as a vocal consumer champion. We were joined by John Leahy who is an Offaly-based independent councillor, with a deep involvement in all aspects of community life in his county.
We have not embarked on this journey lightly. Politics in Ireland is tainted by years of corruption, cronyism and broken promises. Political parties are particularly associated with acting on the basis of expediency and self-interest. It has for too long been a case of ‘party first, country second’. With the political party system discredited, it would certainly be easier to remain an independent and criticise the system from the sidelines.
However, my colleagues and I have decided to bite the bullet and build a new political party – one which can and will be different from the existing political parties which have failed Ireland and our citizens so badly in recent decades. It will be different for a number of reasons. It will not be shackled by a Stalinist whip system, but rather will promote independent thought and critical thinking – something which has been lacking in public life for some time.
We made the announcement in an unusual fashion, which seems to have caused the commentariat in Ireland a considerable degree of angst. We believe however, that if we are to be truly different, we cannot dance to the media’s tune. Nor should we behave as all the other parties do.
To start, we have not yet formed or launched the party. So why make the announcement? The answer is simple: we do not want this to be like all the other established parties out there. We do not want a centralised, autocratic party which operates in a ‘top down’ fashion. So we have set about doing the opposite.
The purpose of the announcement was to tell people about our plan to offer people something different at the next election and uniquely, to invite them to become a part of it. We want people to join with us as founders of this new party. We want them to genuinely be involved and have a stake in this new venture.
Some do not believe that you can involve the ‘plain people of Ireland’ in creating a new party. They do not believe that ordinary men and women can shape policy or become candidates for the Dáil. We hold a contrary view. In fact this highlights exactly what is wrong with the establishment in this country. They believe they are above listening to the Irish people. They seem to believe that they can instruct and direct, rather than serve, the people. It shows just how out of touch they are.
So far, notwithstanding the sneering, the response from the public has been overwhelming. Almost 1,900 people have contacted us through our rebootireland.com website signing up to get involved in building the party behind the scenes – as activists, policy makers, administrators and in many other guises.
In addition to this, 500 people have already expressed an interest in becoming candidates. That is 2,400 people in total who have already jumped on board in the space of ten days or so. It is, on average, more than ten potential candidates in every single constituency – not bad for an effort described last week as “pathetic” and “claptrap” by one supposed expert commentator, who is a member of the Labour party.
What is also unique is the fact that we have made it clear that our party will be based on four principles and all of our policies will flow from those principles.
First, building a new economy that supports entrepreneurs, employees and consumers of small businesses.
Second, fostering a spirit of entrepreneurism in our public sector that will reward those who work the hardest and deliver the best results for our public services and, above all, the public.
Third, creating a political system that supports freedom of thought, difference and independence.
Fourth and finally, measuring the objective and purpose of government with a clear social target for a minimum lifestyle standard for every citizen of the state.
Sadly, it has become apparent to me that in most political parties principles can become secondary to factors like opinion polls, focus groups, media commentary and ultimately power. Our undertaking is that all of our policies will be evidence-based and will flow from our principles.
Policies will not be made up on the hoof and thus will not be ditched when it is convenient or expedient to do so.
We have also said that a defining characteristic of our new party will be the promotion of independent and critical political thinking. The Dáil, which is the ultimate theatre of our democracy, has been reduced by the political parties to being just a rubber stamp. Your election vote should really matter. It should provide you with a representative who is more than a rubber stamp.
He or she should have the political freedom to use the Dáil chamber as a place where genuine arguments can be advanced and decisions made in the public interest.
I am disappointed, but not surprised at the attacks, some political, some personal which have been launched at us since our announcement. I suppose it’s understandable. No cosy club likes disturbance and a very cosy comfortable club exists and depends on the political status quo. The Oireachtas establishment, former members of that establishment turned commentators and certain journalists who love to write about the parties and politicians they know personally so well – all will respond with sneers and negativity to any challenge to their club.
Thankfully, we believe that the Irish people are ahead of the curve. They know that the political system which is protected by the establishment, has failed them. It failed them in bringing Ireland to its knees in 2008 and it continues to fail them as the same policies are pursued and the same vested interests dictate Government policy.
We intend to shake it up and so far it seems that thousands of Irish people are willing to give us a chance.
That is all we ask for.