TD Boyd Barrett launches councillor’s election campaign
PEOPLE Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett had the opportunity to take in the beauty of Wexford’s quay-front as he took a stroll with the party’s local election candidate Tony Walsh ahead of his campaign launch on Monday of last week.
The pair seemed in jubilant form as they discussed the party’s fortunes thus far in the Wexford area and some of the issues that Tony is hearing on a regular basis on the doorsteps of the district.
‘Richard is delighted with the support that the party is receiving locally here in Wexford,’ said Cllr Walsh, who is in the throes of his first election campaign, having been co-opted onto the council to replace Deirdre Wadding who stepped aside late in 2017. ‘The party seems to be stronger here in Wexford than it is in a lot of places.’
Following their stroll, the pair entered The Talbot Hotel where a crowd of some 70 people were present to hear them speak. Deputy Boyd Barrett spoke of how the current system is failing the majority of people, with the rich corporations being the main beneficiaries and stated that if they were taxed at 12.5%, it would be enough to provide vital services across the country.
Speaking of his campaign thus far, Cllr Walsh says the reaction has been good.
‘People have been very welcoming and they want to see change,’ he said. ‘They have genuine concerns around areas like mental health and where we’re going. I would love another five years on the council to try and restore things to a decent level of service, given that Wexford has such high levels of suicide and self-harm. It’s something that I’m passionate about. We need a humanitarian approach.’