Just in case you haven’t had enough politics!
I am a news buff, a politics addict and a sports fanatic. You might not see it at first, but these three things are closely related. News is about politics and the election count is better than an All-Ireland final, because it lasts longer and keeps on giving!
Our most recent election may have been boring (apart from ‘Clarkegate!’) but the count made up for that. It was particularly pleasing to see all the Westmeath candidates do so well – and it is only right to congratulate Peter Burke on heading the poll.
Fair play to every citizen who turned out to vote: some may take this privilege for granted or maybe not even exercise their right; but everyone has to realise that voting is an entitlement not afforded to very many peoples across this ever-more fractious world we live in. There are only two places in the world where all people are equal; one is in the eyes of God and the other is in the voting booth.
I have been a political junkie since I was first asked to help with a canvass more than half a century ago. I have voted in every election – even if it meant coming home from abroad to do so. As well as canvassing, I have served as branch chairman and allowed my name to go on a ballot paper. Even though I was narrowly beaten by a better man, (I wouldn’t be the first man that John Shaw subdued!), I regarded the experience as one of life’s great honours.
Although I had retired from politics, I was geared to canvass in this election, but was prevented from doing so for family reasons. Anyway, I kicked every ball from the sideline.
One of the most pleasing reports from all parties was that canvassers were treated with courtesy and friendliness at almost every door. There was some apprehension expressed beforehand that due to anger over housing and health issues, the frustrations might be taken out on canvassers. But thank God, the innate decency of ordinary Irish people and the tradition of making everybody welcome at your door prevailed.
A lot of things have changed with regards to elections over the years, but the canvass is as important as ever. People ‘like to be asked’ for their vote and they appreciate meeting the candidates if possible, or somebody representing them. Voters have more choices today and gone is the day when the seasoned campaigner could tell you if it was a FG or FF house; or that such a fellow ‘would change his religion before he’d give you a vote!’.
Back in the day, everyone pretty well knew everyone else’s ‘colour’. There would often be a van or horsebox set up near the voting stations where supporters might be offered a sandwich, a cup of tea… or even a ‘little drop of the ‘craither’. A car would be sent to collect a voter who hadn’t yet showed near closing hour. There is many a story of a voter getting a lift in the ‘wrong’ car and bragging in the pub afterwards of still voting ‘right’!
Posters were always a big part of election strategy, but then, the fact that they were all cardboard made them attackable from inclement weather. A can of white paint was often put to good use on a hilly road or the top of a bridge.
The following is a true account illustrating how strong was the divide back then – which is not surprising really, as entire families were split post civil war.
Two neighbours, well known to me, were active party men; both named Mick, one was staunchly FG and the other a FF activist. The two were progressive farmers, great friends who shared machinery and constantly helped each other out. Just about every morning, they would meet at the crossroads when they brought their respective loads of 10-gallon cans of milk for collection. There they would relax with a cigarette and chat for ages about every bit of news and gossip under the sun.
That was until the election was called.
The two Micks would never try to avoid each other; still arriving with their morning milking around the same time. But not a single word would be exchanged as they hopped the milk cans up on the wooden stand, keeping their backs to each other. As soon as a new government was formed, normal relations resumed between the two decent men. All the news would be commented on – with one exception… politics would never be mentioned!
The big change now, apart from the various choices, is that it isn’t worse than changing your religion to cross-party vote any longer. The number 2 to a Peter Burke, Robert Troy, Bennett or Boxer, is the approach of many modern voters to an election. Every voter should get a chance to attend a count at least once. Our sophisticated PR system is the envy of many democracies around the world and when you see the difference a fourth or fifth preference can make, you understand why.
Don’t Forget
Politics is the science of who gets what, when and why.