The European and local elections have been announced for June 7th and it promises to be quite a rollercoaster of an election ride. Last Saturday, in Drumshambo, John Waters and his small campaign team announced his independent candidacy for a seat in the Midlands North West constituency.
There’s an old adage about winning big football matches which can equally be applied to winning elections. All it takes is everything you’ve got. This upcoming exercise in democracy promises to be one of the most interesting elections in my life-time. But one marked by a very curious feature.
Nobody wants to knock on doors.
Nobody wants to have the political conversation on the electorate’s door-step anymore. Just yesterday, the first flyer for a candidate popped through my letter-box, yet no-one knocked on my door to make the case for their candidate. A nation that loves to talk has lost the art of political conversation. And I include all of the new political entities that’ve sprung up over the last few months and few years in that statement, by and large. In modern Ireland, it seems communication is all about digital interaction, social media and creating viral hits. Hmmmm.
But that ain’t what sways voters to mark an X against your name in a polling booth, though. As another proverb almost goes: People don’t remember nearly as well the digital thing you say but rather the real conversation and how you make them feel.
This is an election not about new multi-million euro swings and roundabouts. It’s an election about the protection and regeneration of Ireland’s soul. A soul under seismic attack at present by outside forces and one of those forces is the European Union. I can think of no-one I’d rather see represent and fight for this country on that score than John Waters.
Last Wednesday, John sat down with me for a chat about the resignation of Leo Varadkar and quite unbelievably, a week later, over 40,000 people watched the video on Youtube. The reaction and viewing numbers speaks to me of a nation beginning to emerge from an information coma. The Irish information patient is looking around for a second opinion on the topics dear to their heart. Instinctively, these new people know that the information, or questions in need of answer, won’t be found on RTE or in the mainstream press. I’m pretty certain many of them would be delighted to continue this conversation on the door-step with canvassers.
I was re-assured by watching John’s announcement video. It was delightfully lo-tech. Likes, retweets, and sharing videos won’t get John Waters over the line and elected. Certainly, this helps but it is not the decisive factor methinks. The old-fashioned art of persuasive argument with friends and neighbours and knocking on doors will get John Waters elected.
But, the good news is two-fold.
Most of the people behind those doors are dying to have a conversation about the sorry state of our country and secondly no-one else wants talk to them. To win an election you obviously need votes but first you need canvassers. If you want to knock on a door for John Waters and become a part of his campaign team of canvassers here’s how you can do it.
John’s Campaign manager is Sean Wynne.
email: alleninfo@eircom.net
phone: (087) 6312708
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I just googled him cos I didn't know a thing about him. That's what I found. Certainly not spreading untruths. I don't know him from Adam! But hopefully he'll be on my ballot paper & despite being from Dalkey apparently, he might get my vote if he's coming from the right place. Never thought anybody from the poshest area of Dublin would have a rural viewpoint. No intention of offending you - sorry if you feel that 🤷♂️
I’m surprised John has chosen the European election rather than the National election,however I’m sure he has a reason.
I wish him every success,as in my opinion,he is a great Irish patriot,with an intense love of our land and it’s people.He’s also an intellectual colossus.
Whilst I have an intense distrust of the political system,I for one would canvass for John.I would love to see him demolish the accepted political parties in that constituency.Could that really happen?? I sincerely hope so.