The Campaign Trail
Ronan McManus – Labour Party
THIS IS Cllr. Ronan McManus’ second time around the block on the doorsteps of Bray canvassing for those coveted votes.
Five years ago, those in the Labour Party were very much Ireland’s golden children. Ronan received the warm glow of welcome at almost every door on which he knocked prior to taking a seat on Bray Town Council for the first time. We were curious to know if much had changed in the intervening years.
The Labour/Fine Gael Government isn’t exactly the most popular kid in school these days but is this forthcoming local election to be won or lost on national issues?
‘A lot of people know we were sold a pig in a poke,’ said Cllr. McManus at Killarney Heights last Friday evening. He said that there has been some hostility ‘ here and there’, but ‘it’s nowhere near the same vitriol experienced by Fianna Fáil the last time.’
The last time out in the local elections, Fine Gael candidates really swept the boards and basked in the glow of triumph. Change was en-vogue and a very clear message was being sent to the hitherto powerful. ‘People are angry, with good reason,’ said Cllr. McManus’ campaigning colleague and former wife Therese McManus.
Also part of the dream team was his mother and experienced politician Liz McManus, former Minister, TD, and Town and County Councillor. ‘I’ve had a bit of experience,’ she agreed on the canvassing trail. ‘But you’re always learning!’
‘My feet are killing me,’ said the sitting Town Councillor Ronan, who took three weeks off work to campaign. ‘ The response has been slightly worse this time.’
Water and property taxes are the hot issues from the voters, as well as jobs and in one case a ‘yield sign’ which they asked for when Liz was a councillor!
‘People are struggling, when will we get a break?’ said householder Mary Kane, whose young son Ryan was quite keen to hear what was going on.
She pointed out that while expenses such as water charges and property tax are brought in quite quickly, money saving moves such as GP cards for children, are still not introduced.
While she said that she will vote on May 23, she’s not sure for whom. ‘Mr. Gilmore is not my favourite person,’ said Raymond Keogh. ‘I’m not a card carrying supporter of any political party though.’
His wife Sylvia said that the ‘state of Bray’ is her most important issue. ‘Businesses in Bray are closing down all the time,’ she said.
‘I believe in the Labour Party,’ said Ronan to one of the constituents. ‘I know how hard we are working.’
His election promises include pushing for housing, job creation and speedy development of the Florentine Centre.