I am voting for Catherine Connolly for President because now more than ever, we need an independent voice for peace and inclusivity in the Áras. Our long string of independent-minded Irish Presidents speaking truth to power, like Michael D Higgins, Mary MacAleese, and Mary Robinson, has been the best aspect of our democracy in my lifetime, and it is so important to see that continue and be supercharged by Catherine Connolly. The alternative - rewarding Fine Gael with their first ever Fine Gael President in Heather Humphreys after decades of failure - especially failing our generation with housing, climate, transport, and overall quality of life - is unimaginable to me. Having a FG President who just repeats the FG Gov talking points would be a massive downgrade for our democracy and politics. I was sure of that months ago and I'm even more sure after seeing Fine Gael's toxic US-style attack adverts against Catherine Connolly, alongside attempts to 'smear the bejaysus' out of her - dirty tactics which have no place in our politics.
I completely understand people's concerns that we only have 2 options on the ballot - the best thing about our democracy is that we don't ever typically have a forced 2 choices like they do in the UK and US, so it's a shame that we only have 2 options this time. That is due to Maria Steen not actually trying (only appearing a few weeks before deadline and refusing to try the council nomination route) and Gareth Sheridan not having a hope because FF and FG undemocratically banned councillors from having a free vote. However, while spoiling your ballot is valid and many countries have a 'none of the above' option on the ballot (a great idea), I am urging you to take a few minutes to engage with the 2 options and ask yourself on polling day - is it really the exact same for you whether we have a president empowering the legacy of Michael D Higgins etc or whether we have a Fine Gael puppet as president, gaslighting us by repeating government lies that they are trying their best and doing everything they can to tackle the housing crisis and climate crisis??
Full statement on why I'm supporting Catherine Connolly for President:
#ConnollyForPresident #WaterfordForConnolly #Independent #Neutrality #Progressive #Left #Ireland #Irish #IrishElection #IrishPresidentialElection #IrishPresident #UnitedLeftAlliance #ABetterAlternative #IrishPolitics #IrishPol
