Pembroke-Rathmines Local Election 2009

[October]

Any thoughts of the possible introduction of Tony Williams to the race?

Will he take a few votes from the soft FF/FG candidates like Murphy & Tubirdy?

[Pembroke/Rathmines]

I presume people on here have seen this?? what do you think???

The following email was sent to Dublin South East PD's, past and present, by Councillor Tony Williams today:
You can check out his website here :

Tony Williams

Good Afternoon All,

I am sending this email to each of you as members (or perhaps in some cases former members) of the Progressive Democrats in Dublin South East to ask if you would be willing to assist me if I were to put myself forward as a candidate in the Dublin City Local Election on 5th June next.

As many of you are aware, I was recently co-opted onto Dublin City Councillor to be a Progressive Democrat Councillor in succession to John Kenny, who had himself been co-opted in 2007 to replace Wendy Hederman, who originally won the seat so well in the 2004 Local Election.

Since my co-option I have been asked by many people, both from within the Party and without, whether I will be running as a candidate in the Local Election on 5th June.

When I put my name forward to be co-opted it was genuinely not with a view to my running in June however the number of enquiries (and some promises of assistance) which I have received have led me to look seriously at the idea.

As the Progressive Democrats will have officially ceased to exist by June 5th, I can confirm to you that, if I do run, it will be as an Independent Candidate and that I will not be joining any other political party. I genuinely believe that there is at present a strong public disaffection with all Political Parties and that Independent candidates will do well in this election. Those of you who know me well will know the values for which I stand and I hope you will share my belief that there is a place in Irish politics for my kind of Independent voice.

IS IT TOO LATE?

On the one hand, it might be suggested that, with less than 7 weeks to go until the election, it is somewhat late for me to launch a campaign.

I do not believe this to be the case and my experience as a candidate in the 2004 Local Election is that the voters really only sit up and pay attention to the candidates in the last 4 to 6 weeks of the campaign, particularly after the election posters go up. In addition, and by way of comparison, a General Election campaign usually only lasts a matter of weeks from the date the election is called until polling day.

In short, I think that it is certainly not too late for me to enter the race.

CAN I DO IT?

It might also be suggested that it would be difficult for me to run a successful campaign without the financial and organisational resources which were available to me as a Progressive Democrat candidate in 2004.

This is certainly a significant concern to me as, without the resources of the Party behind me, I will have to pay for this campaign out of my own personal funds and also organise it myself.

And this is where you all come in.

CAN YOU HELP?

I can, realistically, only run as a candidate if I have a team of people working with me who are willing to volunteer some of their time, however little, to assisting me. Can you offer me that assistance?

My campaign would involve, for example:

Weekday mornings and evenings canvassing at commuter locations such as Dart Stations / Luas Stations / Canal Bridges etc.

Weekend canvassing at public locations such as shopping centres, churches etc.

Weekday and weekend evenings canvassing door to door and leaflet delivering.

I am not looking for people to commit themselves to doing all of these things and I am not looking for people to commit themselves to assisting for the whole period of the campaign.

What I need to know is whether you would be willing to do any of these things, for whatever part of the campaign, so that I can work out whether there is enough assistance available to make it realistically feasible for me to run an effective election campaign with a genuine prospect of success.

It would be a short campaign, hopefully carried out in good weather conditions, and I think, for those of us who have the politics bug, that it would be a lot of fun.

I need to decide by the end of this week whether I will run or not and so I would greatly appreciate it if you could respond as soon as possible.

If you want to contact me by telephone, you can reach me at 086 8575440, otherwise please respond by email.

Many thanks,

Tony Williams.


This could potentially put the cat amongst the pigeons, as this is already shaping up to be a closely fought contest, and even though he may not stand much of a chance it has the potential to split some of the voting.

[Pembroke/Rathmines]

I think he could do pretty well. Think he could take votes from all over. Heard FG wanted him to run for them? anyone hear that? And that would likely be his eventual home if he takes a seat?

[Shylock]

Williams hasn't a chance in 'hell freezing over in Mary Harneys knickers' of winning. I mean where is the integrity? People are not stupid. He is tainted big time.

[Shylock]

Actually after reading Williams post above, I think he should run. I mean it sounds like he could do with a kicking and how dare he put it out that he is a natural independent. He is so right ring up his ....it beggars belief. What is going on here is careerist mentality overcoming gracious reality. Be done with it Tony. Head off into the sunset with your PD compatriots and take a little bit of integrity with you.

[Pembroke/Rathmines]

Shylock, I kinda disagree to some extent. You can't rule out any candidate, in particular a candidate who stood in the previous election and did ok. Plus won't have the PD tag weighing him down this time?!! If he can keep the primary PD vote and pick up some McDowell supporters, and take a couple of indo votes, that should be plenty for a city council city?

Agree, its a long shot and he shouldn't have taken the council seat but he must be considered dangerous, in particular to FG, who must be concerned he may stretch their vote further??

[revereie]

He'll crowd the 'right' and muddle transfers even more on the 'right'. Helps 'Left' canddiates.

[cllr]

No matter what way i answer this it will be (mis) interpreted but I have no objection to him running. Still believe and want Labour to take three of the seats.

[mccafferty cat]

I predict that Tony Williams will reap a massive sympathy vote from the supporters of the late Cllr. Wendy Hederman (RIP)

[cllr]

I predict that Tony Williams will reap a massive sympathy vote from the supporters of the late Cllr. Wendy Hederman (RIP)

I think that post is quite distasteful and perhaps should be withdrawn.