Declan Bree bows out disappointed
Veteran Sligo Independent Socialist Declan Bree’s vote increased but it wasn’t enough to give him a chance of grabbing a seat with elimination coming after count ten. He lasted longer than any of the indepedents and might have been in the running had he got anotgher 200 or so votes with the possibility then of Sinn Féin’s Chris MacManus going out before him.
A 3,250 first preference count was gained mostly from Sligo where he has been an ever present in the political scene since the 1970s. He has hinted this may have been his last general election if there isn’t another for five years. The former Labour Party TD from 1992 to 1997, said he was somewhat disappointed with his showing outside of the town. “The town was excellent. We could always depend on the people of the urban areas to support us but as we went into the rural part of the county it weakened considerably and more so as we went into Leitrim, South Donegal and West Cavan. Of course we had an indication of that throughout our canvass. People in South Leitrim and particularly in West Cavan hadn’t heard of us and it’s very difficult for a small, independent organisation to break the mould. in those terms because Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein have a political organisation and branches throughout the whole constituency. To try to beat that is very difficult. I’m still optimistic and I think that the left will break through. “There’s certainly been changes in other constituencies. The left has been somewhat divided in this constituency. but I think we have got a respectable vote and generally I’m optimistic. It’s certainly an improvement on the last election.” He says it remains to be seen if he runs in another General Election but adds there’s the possibility of another election in six to eight months and recalls the three elections within 18 months in the early 1980s. “Certainly, if there’s an election in the very near future, it will be easier for us to get the message across I believe.” Nationally, he sees no reason why Fianna Fail and Fine Gael don’t form the next Government. “There’s no difference ideologically between them. The Civil War is well and truly over. It would make sense for them to merge and allow a right/ left divide and let people have the type of politics they have in the rest of Western Europe,” he says.