Politics

Renua leader talks down prospect of snap election

John Leahy says poll would be damaging for country with Brexit talks at a crucial stage

Renua Ireland leader John Leahy. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Ger Scully
Sat Nov 25 2017 - 14:09

A snap election will not be called in the coming days as the political parties do not see it in their interests, the leader of Renua Ireland John Leahy has predicted.

Speaking to the media before the start of his party's national AGM in Tullamore on Saturday morning, the Offaly county councillor said an election would be damaging for the country with Brexit talks at a crucial stage.

But Cllr Leahy predicted an election will be held early in 2018 as the electorate “are now seeing through the supply and confidence arrangement” underpinning the minority Government.

He said people were dismayed at the way “politics is gone”, with the main parties “forced down a left-wing alleyway by Sinn Féin and smaller parties”.

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He added: “The one person being left behind is the working person. We have seen that in the last Budget where the emphasis was on welfare.”

He added the majority of people wanted to work, but for some it was more beneficial to be on welfare.

Cllr Leahy said his party was ready for an election and had 20 candidates selected to contest constituencies around the country.

He stressed Renua was willing to enter negotiations to form a new Government, provided its policies on crime, the right to life of the unborn, housing and local democracy were reflected in the programme of a new administration.

“Our position on abortion is that life in an inalienable right,” Cllr Leahy will tell delegates in his leadership address on Saturday afternoon.

“We are not afraid to be different to the rest of the world and offend the UN or Amnesty,” he added. “We say to Amnesty in particular. Shame, you are a disgrace. You are traitors to the cause of human rights.”

He said Renua believes in society and its core value is the creation of opportunity. “A hand up . . . not a hand out,” stressed Cllr Leahy. “To those on welfare we say we will create incentives to work.

“To those who go to work early we say the least of your entitlements is a home, either to buy or rent. It is the mark of any civilised society that a home, a place to raise children, should not be an unaffordable luxury.”

He ålso said it is now time for the Government to respect and enable communities to defend themselves against crime.

Annette Meacle, sister of the Offaly farmer Richard McKelvey, who was assaulted by raiders who broke into his isolated home recently, was one of the guest speakers at the AGM.

Another of the guest speakers, journalist and commentator John Waters said a general election would not be called as "it will not make the slightest difference."

“What we’re seeing now is an early Christmas pantomime. Will she or won’t she go but she’’ll be gone within days.”

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