GE 24 meet the candidates: Paul Bradley (Independent)
Meet the candidates GE 24
My name is Paul Bradley and I am a first-time independent, non-party candidate running in the upcoming general election on November 29 for Longford Westmeath.
I am living in Mullingar for almost 10 years and I am a single dad with one child.
I am self-employed, having transitioned from a trades background, I have also been working as a psychotherapist for more than 20 years.
I believe we need radical political change to combat the many issues affecting Longford Westmeath.
email pauljbradley1@gmail.com X @Pauljohnbradley
What do you think should be done to solve the housing crisis?
Immediately declare a national housing emergency. Take the case of young adults – the best and the brightest of our nation are the young people of Ireland. This housing crisis continues to hinder young adults from starting independent lives. Close to 500,000 young adults are forced to live at home with their parents. That’s completely unacceptable. You cannot solve a housing problem with the same kind of thinking that created the problem in the first place. That’s why you need to vote independent. Right now, the same political parties are churning out the same empty promises they were offering four years ago. Promises and slogans won’t build houses.
What would your party do to address the economic concerns that many people face due to the rising cost of groceries, insurance, fuel...?
One-off payments, while helpful, will only go some of the way. We need more targeted solutions to help the most vulnerable in society especially the elderly and the one in five children who are suffering poverty deprivation.
Would you be interested in doing a deal with larger parties and other Independents to form a new government?
Political accountability must form the basis of any future agreement for governance in Ireland. Manifestos must be made legally binding. Politicians either stand and deliver on their promises or are held to account. At present there is no political accountability in Ireland.
If you were marking the performance of the current government out of 10 what would you give it?
Some positives but the negatives far outweigh the positives. Zero marks for housing crisis, children’s hospital costs, a €335,000 bike shed.
Zero marks for inadequate resourcing of mental health services. Longford Westmeath child and adolescents mental health issues such as self-harming and suicidal ideation are off the scale.
What one issue would be your top priority if you are elected to the Dáil?
Immediately declare a national housing emergency.
Do Independents have any real power to enact change in the Dáil?
Yes, because independents are not bound by the large scale, insular self interest and group think displayed by the bigger parties.