Laois TD says 'there has to be an examination of party strategy at a national level'

Laois Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley says there will have to be an examination of party strategy at a national level after the election.  

Speaking at the Laois Count Centre in Portlaoise, he said both sitting councillors, Portlaoise’s Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley and Portarlington’s Cllr Aidan Mullins, did very well in the elections but he conceded things hadn’t gone as well for Sinn Fein's new Laois candidates. 

“Well obviously we would have liked to have done better. We had very good candidates. The tide wasn’t with us. That’s clear. Our two sitting councillors done well. A couple of the new candidates polled reasonably well considering the fact that the tide is going in a different direction. There has to be an examination of party strategy at a national level and we will take it from there,” said Deputy Stanley. 

“Certainly, Aaron Kelly polled very well and put in a great performance. Helen Campion, who has only been in the field a short time, I believe that she should have been in the field a lot sooner… Had Helen had a better chance at it I think she would have done a lot better,” he said. 

“Maria (McCormack) is a very good candidate, it didn’t come for her today unfortunately. She put in a great campaign, she is a woman that is very much involved in the local community. She has a great political head but unfortunately it just didn’t happen for her here today. I think Aidan and Caroline, based on the sheer volume of work they do, Caroline looks like she has increased her vote,” he said. 

He said the Sinn Fein vote had increased in Laois.  

“I think the two existing councillors, credit has to be given to them. On a day when the tide wasn’t with us, not alone did they hold on, they actually increased the vote in the electoral areas. That’s a sign now of the fact that a lot of people have faith in them and they will continue doing that work,” said Dep Stanely.   

He noted the large number of candidates running in the county, particularly in Portlaoise area where there are 20 candidates.   

“Here it was a very crowded field. I think 20 candidates in a local electoral area is a huge amount. You have 47 candidates in the county, that does pull votes in all directions. The problem with voting Independent is that you are still leaving Fianna Fail and Fine Gael being the dominant parties… if you vote Independent you are still going to have Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in control of the council.”  

Dep Stanley said his party will pay close attention to the election results.   

“Certainly we will be looking at it in terms of what way people see issues on the ground. I think a lot of people might be of the mistaken belief that Independents will be their salvation but as I said, whether it is in the Dail or the council, elect a clatter of Independents you still wind up with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael in control,” he said.