This article is from page 8 of the 2012-04-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
INDEPENDENT thinkers such as Ann Cronin, Madeline McAleer and Sarah Ferrigan would be welcomed into the newly formed Irish Citizens Party, according to party founder Jim Connolly.
Mr Connolly, who secured 978 firstpreference votes in last year’s general election, says that he would welcome the inclusion of anyone in the Irish Citizen’s Party but he hopes especially to give a voice to groups that currently lack political leadership.
“It is possible that a lot of the candidates [who ran in the 2011 General Election in Clare] would have similar views to the ones set out for the Irish Citizens Party. This party is open to everybody. I think if you look into it, you’ll find that the current political system does not give a voice to a lot of different groups and we would hope to address that,” said Mr Connolly.
“I think one of the great scandals of my lifetime is the tens of thousands of people who are locked into urban disadavantage and the endless cycle of despair and are never ever given a political voice. These people would be more than welcome in the party. I want it to cater to every group. There is no party in Ireland based on humanitarian principles and that is the gap that I wish to fill.”
According to Jim, one of the main motivations for setting up the party is to make Ireland better for his eight grandchildren, all of whom live in rural West Clare.
“I set up organisations that have involved thousands of people and brought thousands of people to live in the West of Ireland. But also, I have eight grandchildren who are now living out in West Clare; they are the people I am living for. They are the people who make me want to try and build a better Ireland,” he continued.
“I think you need to try. If you sit back and complain, then you have lost before you start. If you say no, maybe you are avoiding the possibility of failing down the line but you’re also making sure that nothing will change. If you say yes to something, then something may happen.”