Louis Fitzgerald, in his letter dated 19th of March, rightly underscores the threat posed to our democratic system by the common phenomena of elected officials operating inside an echo chamber of advisers and non-profit organization proponents. It seems these individuals are often detached from the perspectives of not only party employees but also party voters and the public who have the right to vote. This could shed light on the mishaps that transpired during the past referendum. Fitzgerald, however, abstains from theorising why politicians frequently display such disregard for the opinions of ordinary party members and the electorate.
Are contemporary politicians and their counsellors sensibly working towards their individual good in a political scenario that now features temptations of prominent positions at European and international levels and convenient spots in NGOs for lesser-ranked colleagues and advisers if the public somehow stop admiring them? Are these political figures aware of the common folk’s perspectives but realise that the rules of the game have altered, and their longevity in their careers would benefit from aligning with the widespread elite philosophical uniformity, no matter how absurd? This alignment is especially appealing considering there is no consequence for being utterly incorrect, provided you err collectively with the entire ruling class.
Has any Irish political figure faced repercussions for amplifying the absurd housing bubble that lead to our nation’s insolvency in 2008? Did politicians from the US or UK bear any consequences for supporting the Iraq conflict in 2003?
Perhaps empowering local party members to deselect their representatives or conducting recall elections, a system observed in the US, would redress the power dynamics between ordinary citizens and political high-flyers.
Action must be taken. The referendums were undoubtedly the final blow.
Respectfully,
Tim O’Halloran,
Dublin 11.