Brian Fagan.

Independents day is coming in westmeath says fagan

There will be at least one independent TD in Longford Westmeath after the next general election.

That’s according to Mullingar’s Brian Fagan, who exceeded expectations in last summer’s by-election in the constituency by securing more than 4,000 first preference votes.

The charity shop owner says while that he hasn’t decided whether he will run again, he firmly believes that at least one of the seats will be taken by an independent.

“I think there is at least one seat for an independent in Longford Westmeath. People want change and people want people who will represent them in Dáil Éireann. There is no point in electing TDs from established parties – they will only represent the party.

“The fatal flaw in our system in the party whip. A good TD who represents one of the main parties can’t represent the people who elected him because the party whip system won’t permit it. That is not democracy.”

Dismissing the new Reboot Ireland organisation fronted by Deputy Lucinda Creighton and Eddie Hobbs as “the PDs for Fine Gaelers”, Mr Fagan said that he is interested in the alliance of independents being established by Deputies Shane Ross and Michael Fitzmaurice from Roscommon South Leitrim.

He predicts that there will be an election before the end of the year. He says that the coalition, and especially the junior partners, Labour, will pay at the polls for the austerity measures introduced during the lifetime of their government.

“When you talk to people on the ground, you see that they are still suffering. Most people are seeing no benefit whatsoever from this supposed recovery. Mullingar is on its knees, every business is struggling. People are struggling to keep jobs in the town and there is no mercy from the government. They are constantly taking taxes and imposing charges.

“The bubble that exists in Dublin seems to be picking up but that hasn’t extended to the rest of the country. Politicians live in this nice little bubble and forget about the Ireland where millions aren’t benefiting from the recovery. People are sick to death of being lied to and treated like slaves.”