Madam, – Tom Neville’s reaction to Leo Armstrong’s calls for a new political party is depressingly cynical, and shows more than a bit of that unfortunate Irish trait, begrudgery (July 14th). While I do not know what will come of Mr Armstrong’s planned meeting in Kilkenny, or whether I would support his hypothetical new party, his spirit of civic activism is refreshing. Mr Neville asks what “competencies” Mr Armstrong has. The reply is simple – Mr Armstrong is a citizen of our democratic republic. It his right (indeed some would say duty) to take an active interest in the running of the State and to offer his opinions and suggestions as to how it can be improved. Even if one strongly disagrees with his political positions, he should be applauded for being a truly active citizen, instead of simply sliding into apathy and directing snide remarks at those who wish to see positive change. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Tom Neville (July 14th) makes sweeping statements regarding my call for a new political party to be set up in Kettler’s Inn, Kilkenny next Wednesday at 8pm.
He says I am calling for the establishment of a new party without purpose. Surely the demise of the Fianna Fáil party as a political entity on this island is, in itself, a very good reason. However, as the majority of the people of this country would also realise, the supporting of Fine Gael as an alternative, would be seen as just more of the same.
Furthermore, if the Fine Gael leadership had been on the ball during the last week of the general elections of 2007 the people of this country would not have had to suffer yet another five years of Fianna Fáil mismanagement. Enda Kenny must take full responsibility for lack of leadership then as now; hence he is seen by many as a lame duck, with Brian Cowen demonstrating he has no respect for him when calling him a fool in the Dáil last week.
How can Mr Neville make a statement such as, “on policies, Mr Armstrong is not too hot”? Did Mr Neville expect me to include the new party’s manifesto in a letter to the papers? How can Mr Neville know whether I am hot or cold on anything since we don’t even know each other?
Yes, there are a lot of Fianna Fáil people who are deeply upset with this Fianna Fáil/Green Government and many who have supported Fianna Fáil for years have stated they would never vote for it again. Why should these good people be deprived of an opportunity to vote?
The reason my friends and I are launching this party next Wednesday is simply because we have no vote, as we have no faith in any of the incumbents in Dáil Éireann – Government or Opposition.
If Mr Neville really wants to attack me, please could he use sound arguments based on facts, not suppositions. – Yours, etc,