All Politics is Local – Until It’s Not? ?

When outlining the importance of voting, political enthusiasts in Ireland often reference the outcome of the 1995 referendum to end the ban on divorce that was passed by the equivalent of one vote in every ballot box. It’s an illustrative example of the power of voting and why every vote counts. The secondary, less quoted, point of this outcome is that the decisions we make at local level at the ballot box can have far-reaching impact outside of just our local communities. The votes we cast today at local level have the potential to decide who will be our decision makers at national and international level tomorrow and it is the decision makers that set the policy and legislative direction of our country.

? The Boundary Commission Report (now the Constituency Review) is arguably the most hotly anticipated document in the electoral cycle. Its release is usually seen as the starting gun for the coming elections – local, European, and General. In the immediate aftermath of its release, Party Headquarters and local units around the country convene to strategise in more specific terms about all three upcoming elections – who are we running, what is their message, how do we deliver that message to the right people, and how do we select candidates to maximise a potential return of public representatives? ? ?

Parties will be considering the more strategic elements of this work through a wider lens. The local and European elections, due to be held in June next year, are likely to occur before any prospective General Election. As in previous elections, the ballot papers for both elections will no doubt feature faces across every party and non-Party entity that we will be seeing again on posters for the coming General Election. All indications currently would suggest that, notwithstanding any political hiccups in the meantime, this Dáil term will likely run to its full potential and a General Election will be called sometime in early 2025 following a generous Budget package announcement in late 2024 and the pursuant enacting legislation later next year. ? ?

This Dáil term has already seen a number of high-profile announcements from Teachtaí Dála who do not intend to run in the next General Election from both the government and opposition benches. Reports that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar elicited assurances from his prospective ministerial appointees that they will run again has also signalled to political observers that more announcements of retirement from public life can be expected in the winter of this Dáil term. This, combined with the recommendation of today’s Report to add 14?seats to the Dáil means we are likely to see the next Dáil looking quite substantially different to this one – absent some familiar and high profile faces and likely featuring many new ones and perhaps a few returners. ? ?

The outcome of this shake-up remains to be seen but an overall growth in the number of public representatives is now a guarantee. This will undoubtedly be met with mixed reaction. Some will argue that Ireland doesn’t need more public representatives and to continue to grow this cohort is counter-productive to making good policy and legislative decisions. The counter-argument to this is that proportionate representation of the population offers a stronger chance for the individual citizen to have their voices heard on issues at national and European level through their public representatives. Any development that strengthens the role of the citizen in democratic decision making is surely one to be welcomed – it remains for us as citizens to make our voices heard at the ballot box when we are afforded the chance.

By Aimee Millar, PR Account Manager, Carr Communications