IF people reflect the landscape around them, Westmeath voters aren't going to get too wound up about this election. "It's all been pretty flat, even bland round here so far," said one party official after the first week of canvassing, echoing the views of his counterparts across party lines.
Not that there isn't a battle on hand. When Willie Penrose took a seat for Labour in 1992 by just 137 votes from Fianna Fail's Henry Abbott, it was the first time in seven decades that the conservative county had broken with tradition. One of Penrose's first victory visits was to his granny, who was a longtime socialist and supporter of James Connolly. It made her decade; she has since gone to her grave a happy woman, according to the party, which is determined to retain the seat.
Abortion is, or isn't, the big issue here, depending on whom one talks to. Fianna Fail believes it is, as does the National Party, which has nominated Mr Danny Murray.
Fianna Fail is fielding three candidates - the party's deputy leader, Mary O'Rourke, who is expected to be the poll topper; Henry Abbott, who lost his seat in 1989; and psychiatric health nurse and county councillor, Camillus Glynn, who says the demand for a referendum on abortion is "very live". People want to ensure that it is "never legislated for", and he supports that view.
Labour believes that abortion is only an issue because it was raised by Bertie Ahern. Its director of elections, Peter Donnellan, says there is a general satisfaction with the coalition Government. His canvassers have a "pass no house" policy in both of the county's big towns, Athlone and Mullingar. There is a perception, however, that Athlone has done better out of industrial development and that Mullingar, a service based town, has been left behind.
With both Fianna Fail candidates based there, along with Labour and Fine Gael's sitting TD Paul McGrath, Mullingar has been identified as the cockpit for this constituency's election.
"More Power to Your County" is the Fianna Fail slogan, and it intends to make much of the fact that Mullingar's last new factory opened 18 years ago.
North Westmeath never had a minister, and this is reflected in high unemployment, Fianna Fail contends. "This coalition has delivered little or nothing in the way of new jobs here," says its director of elections, Mr Martin Hynes.
Fine Gael, which wants to increase its vote by 8 to 10 per cent to get in its second candidate, Cllr Joe Whelan, does not agree. However, some of the county's flagship projects are Athlone based, such as the new marina on the Shannon, a sports centre, a new shopping centre, and housing.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates, is perceived to have handled the BSE crisis well. There are no flashpoints in the canvass compared to previous election years, says director of elections Mr Kevin O'Brien.
The Defence Forces rationalisation is not expected to affect either of the county's barracks towns significantly, although a PDFORRA candidate had been expected.
The status of, and funding for, Athlone Regional Technical College is a regional issue, according to Mr Patrick McGarty, head of the department of business and social studies at the RTC. The recent report upgrading RTCs to institute of technology status has been welcomed, but there are financial implications, he says. People recognise that the presence of a third level institution has a direct bearing on location of new industry.
He believes the election in Westmeath is all about vote management, given the preponderance of candidates in the north. Some people will always vote for the "local lad", but as opinion polls have suggested, first preferences will not determine the makeup of the next government.
No great surprises are expected in this midland constituency in spite of tight competition. Mary O'Rourke has a free run in every sense in Athlone, and Paul McGrath will be returned for Fine Gael. Penrose is expected to edge in just ahead of his barrister colleague, Henry Abbott, as Labour will be relying on healthy transfers from Fine Gael.
