Our democracy is under threat due to the uncontrolled fury of a small sector of the population. This issue has prompted a handful of politicians, such as Fine Gael TD Ciarán Cannon and Michael Creed, to announce their retirement at the forthcoming elections, citing the steady rise in “toxicity” within the political realm. Physical attacks and gross personal slurs have marked some of these politicians. Even when Leo Varadkar declared his decision to step down, rumours arose attributing his choice to this maltreatment, although he maintains it wasn’t a significant contributing factor.
The bane of poisonous politics is causing those who might ordinarily involve themselves in the political discourse to withdraw. Consequently, the options available to voters are reduced, and the prospect of new and skilled talent entering the fray diminishes.
One facet of irony exists in the fact that traditionally, Irish politicians have maintained close bonds with their constituents, a notable characteristic of the political environment. Despite common accusations labelling politicians as “out of touch”, there is a higher level of familiarity between Irish voters and their political representatives than in most European nations. For years, scholars and pundits, myself among them, criticised politicians for being too “in touch” with their constituents. Complaints were raised over the skew towards local political involvement at the expense of national policy work. However, the aftermath of the economic crisis, brought about necessary reforms in Dáil, tipping the balance towards improved policy-making somewhat.
However, currently an alarming trend is observed where politicians are disengaging from key elements of their constituency due to deeply troubling reasons.
Over the past ten years, politicians have found themselves the victims of physical attacks, verbal abuse, coercion, online harassment, and threats of violence. Even the homes and public offices of these politicians haven’t been spared, nor their staff members and families. Initially, only a small fraction of Government politicians were subjected to such hostilities. Some reflected upon this as justice served for the seeming negligence during the financial crisis. However, the anger and resentment among this small group have only been fuelled by the Covid-19 lockdowns, which has in turn led to intensified animosity towards the entire political apparatus, covering all political parties and nearly every politician. It’s worth noting that female politicians have bore the worst brunt of this brutal behaviour, all perpetuated by an alarmingly increasing, yet tiny faction who seem to have lost all control.
In the face of this threat, politicians find themselves compelled to cut back on their interaction with their constituents. Appointments now take place during the day and in public areas. While these aren’t major inconveniences, it has hampered those voters who wish to discuss delicate personal matters with their TDs who feel uneasy in public settings. Some politicians have confessed that they’re declining invitations to public gatherings if they sense potential turbulence and risk of being left isolated. To ensure their safety, many politicians have installed security apparatus at both their homes and offices, with some offices even shutting down.
The current hostile political climate, especially online, is particularly concerning at a time when there’s an urgent need to inspire more women to join politics. It has rendered the political arena a noxious and hostile space for women.
A tiny section have let their disenchantment evolve into sheer anger against the elite. This anger came to a head during a protest in front of the Dáil in September 2023, where both Independent and Sinn Féin TDs were assaulted. It prompted alterations in how protests were policed. Protest groups were distanced further from parliamentary grounds, unlike earlier years when TDs and Senators would actively engage with them. Despite having different viewpoints, they would candidly present their cases to both Government and Opposition representatives. Politics was transparent and respectful then. While it continues to be so for most individuals, this minuscule faction is starting to disrupt the status quo. While politicians are on the frontlines, it’s the Irish democracy that’s getting undermined. This array of radicals show no regard for the democratic decisions made by Irish voters, prioritizing their anger over the collective voting power.
For many years, studies have indicated that citizens in Ireland are generally satisfied with their democratic system. However, this is juxtaposed with prevalent scepticism towards political elites, with a significant portion of the electorate feeling that politicians place their personal interests above the public good. There’s an air of dissatisfaction pertaining to how the State provides aid and services, with a common call for increased involvement. As a result, voter contentment with the government fluctuates considerably, with post-2011 elections noting considerable changes in voter preferences for different political factions.
Nonetheless, within a small subset of the population, anti-elite sentiment has turned venomous, metamorphosing discontent into fury. This group, predominantly comprising men and the youth, harbour not only resentment towards political individuals and systems but also hostile attitudes towards minority groups including Travellers, immigrants, and the LGBT communities. There’s a deep dislike for diversity and preference for groups perceived as politically prioritised in recent times. They endorse peculiar conspiracy theories and their divisive thoughts are echoed internationally, thanks to social media. They constitute the far-right faction, known for their disruptive tactics and disregard for political liberties.
This is not a drama exclusive to Ireland. Across Europe, these issues persist. Ireland, in fact, has been somewhat delayed in joining this far-right influx. The situation is graver elsewhere: far-right radicals have assassinated a German local politician and two British MPs in the past ten years, and many Dutch politicians at local and national levels warrant heightened security.
Resolving these matters is no simple task. The majority of respectful individuals, irrespective of their political understanding or interest, must uphold their political freedoms and rights. It is paramount that these individuals exercise their right to vote, supporting parties that respect fundamental freedoms. Unruly behaviour should be condemned. Digital platforms need to enforce strict regulations to ban abusers indefinitely. A critical responsibility lies with political parties to protect their members, advocate for politics ardently, defend our core values, and resist the urge to compromise on matters such as immigration and housing to revamp support. However, drawing from global experiences, the situation might initially worsen before improving.
Dr Theresa Reidy is employed as a political scientist at University College Cork.