‘Politics is a chameleon’

A former lord mayor of Cork has described his presidential campaign as an “eye-opening and a very interesting, nerve-racking quest and pilgrimage”.

Independent Cllr Kieran McCarthy left the presidential race this week after securing only one of the four necessary council nominations to make it onto the ballot paper.

That single nomination didn’t come from Cork City Council, where he is a member, nor from Cork County Council. Both councils had earlier decided not to nominate anyone for the presidential race.

It was only Waterford City and County Council that backed Cllr McCarthy’s nomination.

“Only three votes were awarded across the 31 local authorities, me getting one from Waterford City and County Council with the other two votes going to Gareth Sheridan,” Cllr McCarthy highlighted in a social media post.

Speaking to the Cork Independent, he said politics is in a very fragile place: "And when you think you have politics nailed down, you don’t. It’s a chameleon. I think what needs to be critiqued is the high level of centralisation this time around, and the political control—it’s a very thin line between democracy and non-democracy."

He added: "I was disappointed with Cork City Council. I knew there was going to be some people involved against (me being nominated). It would have been nice to get through to nominations.

“In Cork County Council, we got through two nomination stages, but the council chose not to nominate any of the three people put forward.

“That was interesting in itself—after two stages, the majority said, ‘Well, we don’t want any of the three candidates going forward'.”

He said the process was very difficult. “You’re in the battlefield the whole time. Compared to seven years ago, now there was massive political control over it.

“It became more and more difficult to get a majority of support. I think that culminated in Cork County Council, where the council majority—just about one or two votes—decided not to nominate anyone, despite nominations being given.”

Asked if he would try again, he said: “I’m glad to put my head above the parapet and step forward with a few ideas. I think the local authority needed even more people to come out to get ideas. It’s a fantastic act of democracy for citizens to talk.

“Certainly, you have to start earlier—perhaps a year in advance—and get out and meet some of the councils. Do more cross-party meetings. That doesn’t mean the odds would change, but it’s important to meet as many people as possible beforehand,” he added.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.