A NORTHSIDE councillor said the effects austerity were having on people is the reason he resigned from the Labour Party.
Cllr Paddy Bourke, who represents the Artane ward on Dublin City Council, is the latest defection from a party, which according to a series of opinion polls, is in crisis and facing wipeout at the next general election.
In an interview with Northside People, Cllr Bourke, a former Lord Mayor of Dublin (2007-2008), said:
“The last budget hit pensioners badly, which is evident from the increase in prescription charges, withdrawal of telephone allowance, the fear of losing the medical card, and the raid on their pension funds. Added to this I believe that the cuts to social welfare could have been avoided.
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When asked what would he say to people who may feel he was resigning because he would have a better chance of getting elected by not being on the Labour ticket, Cllr Bourke said:
“I had a choice to make: stay in the party, or express the views of my constituents and resign. Whether I win or lose (in next year’s local elections) that will be for my constituents to decide.
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Cllr Bourke, who will be remaining on the city council until next May, said it was
“very likely
? that he would contest the 2014 Local Elections as an Independent candidate in the new nine-seat Beaumont-Donaghmede ward.
“I feel I have a lot to contribute as I am a full-time councillor and very professional,
? he stated.
“Added to this, I feel that people are sick of the parties.
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Cllr Bourke said that since his resignation he has been
“congratulated
? on making a stand.
“It has not been an easy decision as after all I was 33 years in the party,
? he stated.
When asked how he thinks the Labour Party will fare at next year’s local elections overall, and also at the next general election, Cllr Bourke said:
“From listening to people I believe the party will lose seats on the councils and in the Dail.
“Although I also feel that Fine Gael will not be spared and will also lose seats in the election.
“The Labour Party needs to look to its past and why it was founded by Larkin and Connolly.
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Cllr Bourke was first elected to Dublin City Council in 1991 along with local TD Tommy Broughan, who has also been critical of the direction the Labour Party has taken since forming the current Government with Fine Gael. He served until 1999 when he lost his seat. He was then re-elected in 2004 and again in 2009.
“I am passionate about education, and I am currently chairperson of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board,
? added Cllr Bourke.
“I also chair Colaiste Dhulaigh post-primary, Colaiste Dhulaigh College of Further Education, Killester College, Margaret Aylward and Whitehall Colleges.
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When asked to comment on Cllr Bourke’s resignation, a spokesperson for the Labour Party told Northside People: “Last month’s budget will get Ireland out of the bailout programme.
“It is unfortunate therefore that a small number of people elected as Labour Party representatives will not be with us on December 15 to wave the Troika goodbye.”
Meanwhile, Sinéad Donegan, chairperson of the Mick Mulligan Coolock Branch of the Labour Party, has expressed disappointment at Cllr Bourke’s resignation.
“The local Labour Party were surprised to hear of Paddy’s resignation,
? Ms Donegan told Northside People.
“While the recent budget was tough, given Paddy’s long standing membership of the party and the fact that we’ve been through bad budgets before, it’s disappointing that he chose to resign now.
“Paddy has worked very hard as a councillor for the past nine years, representing both his constituents and the party locally and on the city council.
“We want to thank Paddy for his contribution to the party both as a member and as a public representative. We wish him well in his future endeavours.
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Ms Donegan said the local Labour Party were in the process of reorganising themselves now that Cllr Bourke was no longer a member.
“While we are in the process of that reorganisation we want to let the residents of the old Artane ward know that there will be a local Labour Party candidate running in the elections next year,
? she added.
“We expect to announce the name of that candidate soon.
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