How do you identify a legitimate government? She used her position to bring the real concerns of working people, and particularly of women, into the Dáil â she will do the same in the Seanad. When you have reset your password, you can, Please choose a screen name. Ruth was endorsed by her ASTI branch, South Dublin No 2 branch, and her record as a branch secretary was outlined in her election literature. Once you go beyond Blanchardstown shopping centre on the M3, there is a series of new housing estates on either side, linked together rosary-bead style by a number of roundabouts. document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); “We are holding our own in working-class communities here, and across the board,” he claims, referring to latent Fianna Fáíl support. Apr 3, 2020. The Seanad election demonstrated the support that exists in all parts of the working class for socialist ideas and socialist change. While Donnelly was not available to meet The Irish Times, his posters out-number those of all his rivals and the party has mounted a huge campaign in the newer towns and estates of Dublin 15.
She holds the establishment to account. The Seanad should be reflective of the positive changes that have taken place in Irish society, not a bastion for the status quo or a platform for those who want to take us back to the past. View archives of old Socialist Party websites, election sites, newspapers, journals and leaflets since 1999. If you can give me your No 1, I can raise your issues.”. Please subscribe to sign in to comment. Ruth Coppinger is a serious, unshowy and committed politician who has put in the hard yards for a cause that was off-off-off Broadway for many years. Ruth makes a difference. “My seat could be at risk. She is a secondary teacher and a former ASTI branch secretary. Suddenly constituencies such as Dublin West, which seemed out of reach only last year, have come into play. The Socialist Party correctly campaigned for a ‘Yes’ to abolition of the Seanad in the 2013 referendum. Everything has a new feel to it. There’s a sitting Taoiseach, Fianna Fáil and then we have Sinn Féin and the Greens who are doing well in the polls. After years of effort, they now have a home ground.
The dynamic has changed since, as the water charges issue lost traction. Our election campaign was clearly socialist in character with the election literature making a clear argument for socialist change, “Ruth is a socialist and member of the Socialist Party. We have an acute homeless problem, we have a lot of evictions, and there is a lot of demoralisation because it has been hitting Dublin West for six years.”, “I was involved in occupations with homeless women, where they were doing little.”.
Ruth is a long-time member of the Socialist Party. Make your Seanad vote a meaningful one. They have made life more precarious for workers and pensioners. I want to bring home to people if you are looking for change, Sinn Féin or the Greens will not bring that change.”. Socialists have run for elected office with a limited or restricted franchise in the past. Coppinger’s predecessor Joe Higgins arrives to give a hand. At lunchtime on Saturday, as a sharp wind blustered down the main street of Ongar, a bus of a certain vintage pulled up. Ruth would be a voice for social progress and is best placed to challenge those senators. Ballots are sent by registered post meaning many people at work during the day having to call to a postal depot to collect their ballot or make arrangements for ballots to be re-issued if not delivered. A woman who give her first name, Emer, says her vote will be based on which party is greenest and argues for more electric vehicles. Senator Michael McDowell was the Minister who introduced the removal of citizenship rights from Irish born children of migrant parents and he developed the inhumane Direct Provision system. They also look at the future capitalism offers for them and their children on housing, health, employment, climate and social progress and wish to see an alternative society built. The strong result should also be seen in the context of difficulties inherent in the NUI Seanad constituency. There was a strong support for Ruth’s candidature in the canvass, particularly among newer first-time voters. Ruth’s record as a TD has been exemplary in how socialists use parliament. In Dáil elections approximately one-quarter of Ruth’s Dublin West constituency did not have a vote in February due to citizenship restrictions. The constituency is divided. All but one are women. “Sinn Féin is trying to play this Trump-style politics of telling everyone what they want to hear. She argues she has done more locally on housing than Sinn Féin. The account details entered are not currently associated with an Irish Times subscription. We lack basic facilities [in the club] and are looking for those. Photograph: Harry McGee. On the first count Ruth obtained 3,615 first preference votes (9.5%). “Fianna Fáíl offers a constructive centre-ground alternative that seeks to deliver on health, housing and cost of living.”. This reflects the support and respect for socialist ideas that exists in many different sections of society’. While Solidarity-People Before Profit had a relatively dismal campaign last year, it does not seem to be enjoying the same uplift as Sinn Féin this time round. The fourth seat is seen as a struggle between Donnelly and Coppinger. View the profiles of people named Ruth Coppinger. It is hard work but this is the graft that’s required. "); Economic inequality is unprecedented as production for profit devours our share of wages, public services, human rights and the future of the planet. Ruth is a long-time member of the Socialist Party. The campaign featured endorsements from ambulance workers, animal right activists, teachers, nurses, academics, pro-choice activists and artists.