New Irish political party seeks to make impact before 2012
Wed 27 Jan, 2010
Socially and economically liberal political group to launch before election hopes to avoid making the PDs’ errors all over again
forth has been informed of plans to launch a new political party in Ireland. A source close to the party, who has previously worked in politics, says the organisation will be both socially and economically liberal and ready to appear on the ballots by 2012.
“Timing hasn’t yet been considered but it would need to be sometime before the next election,” he said.
The party aims to fill a gap it perceives as existing in the Irish political scene since the now-disbanded Progressive Democrats moved to the right: “The PDs at the time did a very good job, in the 80s and 90s, but as conditions changed neither they nor Fianna Fáil adapted to meet those conditions. As time went on the country and the population became more socially liberal,” he said.
This is at least the third announcement of a new political party in recent months. Unlike Amhrán Nua and the Liberals, however, this party’s founder claims the group will be a serious challenger come election time.
The party plans to become ‘real’ through not only local campaigning but also by attracting high-profile supporters, a process the source says has already begun: “There are several high-profile figures associated. In terms of candidates we’re looking at successful business people.
“We’re going to do something more than put up posters,” he said.
The party’s apparent selling-point is far from unique internationally – Germany’s Freie Demokratische Partei (FDP) appears to be something of a model – but it is uncommon in Ireland.
Historically, the cause of individual rights has belonged to the Irish left. In the past two decades, however, the Irish left has increasingly retreated from civil libertarian positions toward communitarian consensus-building, often framing rights issues as ‘group rights’.
The party’s economic platform, which it claims will be a major attraction, is however, right-of-centre: “Low taxes aren’t necessarily a bad thing but the revenue has to be spent in a way that helps the country’s infrastructure. That’s not what happened – I don’t think it was forced by any particular vested interest but more the mantra of the governing party,” said the source.
“There’s [currently] no focus in creating a sustainable economy. Nama is a gamble. We need to focus on export business and smart business, generating wealth that way,” he said.
The difficulties of funding a new political party have yet to be ironed-out, though it appears donations from individuals and members will be the primary source of money in the initial period.
Claiming to be “a party for Ireland, not Ireland for a party”, the new group intends to get its electoral mandate from current soft Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael supporters as well as a core vote of 25-30 per cent of people it says research indicates would not vote if an election was held at the moment.
By JASON WALSH
PREVIOUSLY ON FORTH:
Jason Walsh looked at the launch of another new party, Amhrán Nua, and asked was there anything to its policies other than not being Fianna Fáil.
COMMENTS
It would appear that this media shy party leader is in hiding , i wonder why?
Given that this link was posted on politics.ie by a Libertas fellow traveller it would appear to be John McGuirk and Alan Kennedy et al are involved.
For liberal you may read “Libertarian” and as with Libertas libertarian may be regarded as far right economically and ideologically.
Having learned the mistake of allying with ultra right European political entities and people this crowd will attempt to sneka up on the unsuspecting. Platforms on immigrantion and Caroline Simons style work permits for Irish people may not roll of their lips but it will be the same package under a different name.
the line about doing more than putting up posters was a dead give away too…......
You know waht we need like a hole in the head? An even further right version of the PDs.
Well ever watchful as we bloggers are this crowd will be watched.
Have fun I sure will.
By People Korps on 2010 01 29
Just to get this on the record, forth is a magazine and has nothing to do with this or any other party politica project. Moreover, forth considers its editorial line to be left-wing.
I can’t speak for whoever posted the link to Politics.ie and if you read the above you will see that it is simply a report.
For my money the party in question, as yet without name, is interesting insofar as I am curious to see if, why and how anyone thinks they can challenge the current FF/FG duopoly from any ideological POV.
Clearly the story was given to me for a reason – all stories are passed to journalists for a reason, that reason being publicity. As the source required anonymity I was unable to take it to a newspaper: a single anonymous source isn’t going to get past an editor. On the other hand, I did speak to the person in question and am happy enough with his bona fides to publish it here.
Make what you will of the subtext of any of the things he says.
Jason Walsh,
editor, forth
By Jason Walsh on 2010 01 29
Hi jason, I was not implying anything regarding forth other than to comment on the fact that any new party that seeks to take the mantel of the PDs and is self declared “liberal” and “will do more than put up posters” posted by mmrebel on politics.ie is the long awaited return of the Liberti.much mentioned in recent months by the Libertas cadre. this I know as I know more about them than most
However as a journalist if this was all off record to you it is a non story as they have been floating this idea on boards and blogs
If it was not off record you might name the leader? in the public interest.
the sooner we know who is fronting this party the better.
By people korps on 2010 01 29
Hey ho, I know. But there has been some confusion on P.ie and Slugger.
Anyways, clocking off for the night but some brief comments before I go.
It’s not that it’s a non-story, just that I’d never get it past an editor without at least a name. The person in question struck me as serious and I know his history so it’s not in his interest to talk crap. Of course, leaking a story like like this is ‘gingering’ - the group is clearly looking to stir up interest.
I don’t read boards or p.ie so I was unaware of any chatter there.
By Jason Walsh on 2010 01 29
In that case a journalist would investigate and name these people
dont be obtuse
they are a far right party in the birth phase if you are of the left then it is your duty to expose them and destroy their rise
By People Korps on 2010 01 30
We’ll see. forth is a magazine, not a newspaper, so what I’m interested in here is the discussion (such as this).
I don’t think it’s a far right party, liberals (in the older sense of the word) maybe.
The first question is, will anything actually happen or will it sink without a trace?
By Jason Walsh on 2010 01 30
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