Election day today and for me, the very first time I’ve ever voted in an Irish General Election. In every previous one since I turned 18 I was out of the country, so you can’t blame me for the shower we’ve had in up to now! Well, actually you can blame me for Tony Blair…but not Bertie OK?
Thanks to sites like IrishElection.com, MyCandidate.ie, Politics.ie, Mulley.net (for all the party political broadcasts I couldn’t watch on the telly because I don’t have Irish telly channels) and so many other bloggers, I feel like I’m more informed about the parties and what’s on offer than I’ve ever been before. If I didn’t have the internet I would have had only the mountains of leaflets that came through the door to try and decipher it all.
So, I’ve chosen who I will be voting for by a process of elimination:
If you’re Fianna Fail…you’re out (particularly since we’ve got Dick Roche as our local FF candidate)
If you’re PD…you’re out
If you’re Sinn Féin…no way
If you’re in favour of handing over the Greystones Marina to developers as proposed…sorry, not getting my vote (rules out my local Fine Gael candidates)
For a little while I thought about People Before Profit, but then found out they were really the Socialist Workers Party in disguise…so no, can’t have politicians with hidden agendas (*ahem)
If you’d consider joining forces with any of the above (particularly FF or SF)…sorry, you won’t get my vote (so no Greens for me)
So, who does that leave me? I guess it’s Labour and Independent.
I don’t know if it’s the best method in the world and I reserve the right to change my mind until the last second. It’s a pity the only canvasser to come to my door was Dick Roche’s daughter (she was lovely by the way and I couldn’t bring myself to tell her there was no way I was voting for her Dad). As a result I’ve a house full of Dick Roche merchandise including a number of hefty key rings and a Dick Roche emery board (pictured above) of all things…so we women can think about politics while we’re filing our nails?
15 replies on “Another First-Timer”
Ha ha, I enjoyed that read! It often is a process of elimination indeed – who will do the least harm.
Geez, the Dick Roche merchandise is soooo tacky! The idea is that you will remember him as he will be in your face all (or on your nails all day?). You can see how well it’s working – you’ve remembered NOT to vote for him!
Labour? That’s a great idea – Pat Rabitte will possibly sign in with Bertie or Enda in the end!
I know, I suppose that’s inevitable. I wouldn’t mind so much if they sign in with Fine Gael…better that then Bertie.
It really is just a best-of-a-bad-lot decision for me.
If you hadn’t posted the emery board I would’ve thought you were joking. That is TOO funny for words.
I’m off down to the local school where the voting is taking place and having moved here recently I’m wondering if they’ve gotten their act together and have my name on the register at all. I’m taking my passport with me.
[…] voted for the first […]
My kingdom for a Dick Roche emery board
Ellen, I know, I pretty much laughed in her face when she handed it to me. I hope you got to vote…I could have given you one of mine, I was listed on two different registers.
Damien, that’s what I thought…it was the one thing missing from my life.
Claire! Amazing Election Ephemera!!! See http://www.irishelection.com/04/the-irish-election-electoral-ephemera-competition/
for more info! And Maybe post about it???
I could have done with one of yours Claire. I was right, they hadn’t got their act together and I wasn’t on the Register although I filled out and returned the forms to the Agent. It’s just not good enough.
I have heard of so many cock-ups I have to wonder if whoever loses doesn’t have a case to call for a re-vote. The radio this morning has been full of stories of people not on the register who swore they had filled in the forms or of people suddenly disappearing off registers they’ve been on all their lives. Then there’s the other side of the coin with loads of people, like myself having 2 or sometimes 3 polling cards for different polling stations. If you vote more than once they say you will be fined…but how would they know?
‘m sure my doctor used one of those when I last had a smear test. I’ve come over all irrational ever since!
Now that would be the ultimate in campaign merchandise!
A Dick Emery “Roche Board” or a Dick Roche Emery Board? (Or is everyone just bored with Dick?)
Ah, I wish they were Paige.
I see the nail files worked for him! Ha ha!
There should be at least one Dick Roache in every county.He is not looking over his shoulder to see who is listening before he speaks out about something. Well done Dick . Keep up the good work , and f,,,, the begrudgers.