James Lawless' message to Cobh Cumann

Cobh members and delegates.

When you hear this only three of you will have a vote. I hope next time you will all have a vote.

We need to bring our party up to date with modern times. At the same time we need to reawaken a spirit that goes back to ancient times. There is a story sometimes told about two men on a bog in Connemara asking each other how long they were Fianna Fáil. “Oh I’ve always been Fianna Fáil” says one. “Since the start”. “How long is that” says the other fella. “Since 1798 of course” comes the reply.

We are the natural descendents of the Fenian and nationalist tradition. From Wolfe Tone to Robert Emmett to the GPO. We are the party that stood for those that no one else would stand for. We believe in giving people opportunity in life.

I am asking the opportunity to work for you on the national executive. I ask you for your vote for the Committee of 20 to allow me to do that.

I have been involved in the party at many levels from cumann to CC to national youth committee. I am currently chair of my home cumann (Sallins) and Secretary of my Comhairle Ceantair (Naas).

My most recent project was the Cuisle magazine which I am a founder and joint editor of.

My priorities if elected would be as follows:

  • Get ready for 2014. We need to concentrate on the local elections and get good candidates into position in enough time to mount a competitive campaign. The candidates must be selected by the local membership.
  • Organisational Reform. I fully support OMOV, One Member One Vote as I believe new members should be given an incentive and also many long standing members have never held delegate rights. This will help with recruitment and bring true Republican values of equality to the party.
  • Core Values. I believe Fianna Fáil must rediscover our traditional values and if we do a large tract of the electorate can be won back to our flag again as many Irish people share them. For me that means Republicanism, ensuring nobody in business is held back from succeeding and ensuring nobody in poverty has to struggle alone.
  • Northern Ireland. I want to see Fianna Fáil organised on a 32 county basis. I understand resources are scarce at the moment but I want to see our Northern members given the same opportunity as the rest of us have now to organise and rebuild. I want to see Fianna Fáil contesting elections as an All Ireland party by 2016.

I attach a flyer with more information about myself. I would be very grateful for your Number 1 votes or highest possible preference.

Is mise le meas agus go raibh maith agat,

James Lawless