Parachute Candidates

Denn Forever · March 08, 2011, 11:01:02 AM

Over on the Ming thread, is a spate that is becoming cyclical.

The iffy thing about Gerry Adams in Louth was that he was parachuted into the constituency. Has this happened anywhere else?

mayogodhelpus@gmail.com · March 08, 2011, 11:12:59 AM

Quote from: Denn Forever on March 08, 2011, 11:01:02 AM
Over on the Ming thread, is a spate that is becoming cyclical.

The iffy thing about Gerry Adams in Louth was that he was parachuted into the constituency. Has this happened anywhere else?

Denn do you think this should be just people parachuted in from outside the constituency or include those introduced from outside normal party structures (which may or may not be a bad thing.)?

Denn Forever · March 08, 2011, 11:50:41 AM

I suppose I am talking about people who may have some celebrity coming into a constituency who have done no work in the area e.g. CC, setting up business..

The only person I can think of is George Lee. I may be wrong.

There may be more, I would just like to know. I reckon the voting system here does not favour this.

gallsman · March 08, 2011, 01:54:56 PM

Quote from: Denn Forever on March 08, 2011, 11:50:41 AM
I suppose I am talking about people who may have some celebrity coming into a constituency who have done no work in the area e.g. CC, setting up business..

The only person I can think of is George Lee. I may be wrong.

There may be more, I would just like to know. I reckon the voting system here does not favour this.

Sean Kelly, John O'Mahony.

AZOffaly · March 08, 2011, 02:15:49 PM

Yeah but Sean Kelly and John O'Mahoney were not parachuted into a constituency. They were already high profile in the constituency. A Parachute candidate would be like say, Fianna Fáil putting Mick O'Dwyer to stand in Westmeath or something like that. High profile, but not directly related to the constituency.

The Fine Gael tactic of running high profile candidates is more down to populist politics rather than parachuting politicians.

Nally Stand · March 08, 2011, 02:21:05 PM

Quote from: Denn Forever on March 08, 2011, 11:01:02 AM
The iffy thing about Gerry Adams in Louth was that he was parachuted into the constituency.

Iffy to who though? He topped the poll fairly comfortably with one of the highest personal votes of all the candidates in the 26 counties

AZOffaly · March 08, 2011, 02:25:03 PM

Quote from: Nally Stand on March 08, 2011, 02:21:05 PM
Quote from: Denn Forever on March 08, 2011, 11:01:02 AM
The iffy thing about Gerry Adams in Louth was that he was parachuted into the constituency.

Iffy to who though? He topped the poll fairly comfortably with one of the highest personal votes of all the candidates in the 26 counties

I don't have a problem with Gerry Adams running in Louth. It's probably the closest constituency to him, and he wanted to represent his views, and his party in Dail Eireann. That's a privilege denied to him by virtue of where he was born, despite the fact that he's allowed have an Irish Passport.

Fair play to him that he ran in Louth, and he got more than enough votes to get elected.

I wouldn't have any problem with any person really running for a seat in the Dáil. It's up to the people whether they get in or not.

Hardy · March 08, 2011, 02:56:26 PM

It's been going on forever. Parnell in Meath. Dev in Clare.

Banty in Meath is just the latest manifestation.

mayogodhelpus@gmail.com · March 08, 2011, 02:59:02 PM

Ivor Callely

Rossie11 · March 08, 2011, 03:51:35 PM

QuoteJohn O'Mahoney were not parachuted into a constituency

Technically he was.
He is living in Ross/South Leitrim so in effect wouldnt be allowed vote for himself!!

gallsman · March 08, 2011, 05:36:41 PM

Define "parachuting"? I consider sticking a face with no previous record of public service being placed on a ticket due to a high profile obtained in a non-political role as "parachuting" just as much as someone constiuency-hopping.

Stick Mary-Lou on the list.

mayogodhelpus@gmail.com · March 08, 2011, 05:38:31 PM

Quote from: Rossie11 on March 08, 2011, 03:51:35 PM
QuoteJohn O'Mahoney were not parachuted into a constituency
Technically he was.
He is living in Ross/South Leitrim so in effect wouldnt be allowed vote for himself!!

But is he not originaly from across the border in the part of the parish stll in Mayo. So which ever way you look @ it he wouldn't be a blow in.