Stagg and McGinley Selected as Labour Candidates for Next General Election
Issued : Friday 16 July, 2010
Areas : North Kildare
At the Kildare North General Election Selection Convention held last night in The Springfield Hotel, Leixlip, Cllr. John McGinley and Deputy Emmet Stagg were selected as the Labour Party Candidates for Kildare North.
The Chairperson of the Convention was Joanna Tuffy T.D. and the large attendance saw Cllr. Colm Purcell from Leixlip propose Cllr. John McGinley for nomination whilst Cllr. Kevin Byrne from Celbridge seconded John. Deputy Emmet Stagg was proposed for nomination by Pat McCarthy from Naas and seconded by Chris Rowland from Kilcock.
Both candidates addressed the Convention and gave out the clear message that Labour intends taking two seats in Kildare North at the next General Election. Our Strong position in the Opinion Polls and the work of our candidates on National and Local Issues will see us putting in a strong campaign to take the two seats.
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY EMMET STAGG ON NOMINATION TO CONTEST NEXT GENERAL ELECTION
Firstly I would like to thank Deputy Joanna Tuffy for Chairing this Selection Convention. As we are technically over the border in her Constituency it is appropriate that she is here to keep an eye on us – Invaders from Kildare.
I would like to thank my proposer, Pat McCarthy and my seconder Chris Rowland for their kind and flattering remarks. I thought they were talking about somebody else.
I also want to thank Mary and Gillian and Henry for putting up with me for so long. This journey would not be possible without their support.
Over the period of 1974 to tonight I have stood before you on 12 separate occasions for selection as your standard bearer. Thank you for your trust and support – I am proud that you selected me and I am humbled by your repeated trust in me. I also want to thank you for your work on my behalf and on behalf of the Labour Party over the years. Voluntary work to seek to better the lives of the people in our Country.
As I said this is the 12th occasion that I have contested a Selection Conference and it is likely to be my last. However we will deal with that question after John McGinley and myself have served a 5 year term as Labour T.D.`s for Kildare North in a Majority Labour Government.
Comrades I never thought I would see this day. Labour Ahead of Fianna Fail and Equal or Ahead of Fine Gael, and still storming ahead.
As a life long Socialist I have strived to achieve such an objective. Now the possibility, indeed the likelihood of a Majority Labour Government is within our sights. I am excited and re-energised by that prospect.
I will work with John and Dave Moynan our Director of Elections to ensure that all the work for all the years is converted into votes for Labour. And I will work like never before – There is a wonderful prize within our grasp – one we only dreamed of.
Dave Moynan as our Director of Elections will need the assistance of every one of you – He will need your time and energy and enthusiasm if we are to meet our objective. I am confident that you will be as generous and effective as you have been in the past. Under Dave`s stewardship the campaign starts Tonight and will end at the Count Centre when the final results for Kildare North are declared. Then we will Celebrate.
Comrades.
When we replace this awful lazy burned out Government we will be tasked with a very difficult job of cleaning up the mess they have made of our Country. They have created such levels of Debt that our Grandchildren will still be paying for it.
But under the Leadership of Eamon Gilmore, who speaks clearly and honestly to the people we will ensure that the least well off and most deserving will be protected. We will protect the Old and the Young.
We will ensure that services for the sick and the poor are secured.
We will take Action to secure existing jobs and create new ones and we have detailed policies to do this. We will ensure that there is a fair and just Tax System that will oblige the wealthy to pay their share.
And we will bring to book those who committed what Eamon Gilmore described as Economic Treason – The Bankers, The Failed Regulators and the Speculators – They won`t walk away with Golden Handshakes and massive pensions.
In conclusion Chairperson I would like to say something about John McGinley. John is not only a Friend of mine – he is my advisor – he is my co-worker and fellow Socialist. John is a proven Vote Getter with 52% of the Vote in Maynooth in the last Local Elections and several successful National Elections as a Worker Director in the E.S.B.
He did`nt get that Electoral Support because of his Good Looks.
He got that support because he works hard for the people he serves.
We will work together as equal comrades, as equal candidates striving for our common objective of Two Labour Seats that we can achieve with your support.
Thank You
