2 issues is probably double that of the typical independent.Very wealthy man running on a single-issue platform of abolishing inheritance tax* so that his wealthy children can become even more wealthy. There are better people to vote for.
* In fariness, he is a 2-issue man - abolishing inheritance tax and partisan support for Israel.
Not the sort of issues government parties will do a deal on if need independent support.Very wealthy man running on a single-issue platform of abolishing inheritance tax* so that his wealthy children can become even more wealthy. There are better people to vote for.
* In fariness, he is a 2-issue man - abolishing inheritance tax and partisan support for Israel.
True. There’s a reason he’s independent.Not the sort of issues government parties will do a deal on if need independent support.
While it's good to have a voice in favour of Israel, though just as biased in the other direction, I strongly disagree with him on inheritance tax.Very wealthy man running on a single-issue platform of abolishing inheritance tax* so that his wealthy children can become even more wealthy. There are better people to vote for.
* In fariness, he is a 2-issue man - abolishing inheritance tax and partisan support for Israel.
Yes, I think there needs to be a counterbalance, given the echo chamber Irish media has become on the conflict, but Shatter is the other extreme; he's extremely disingenuous too as he talks about a two-state solution but actively promotes strategies that render it impossible.While it's good to have a voice in favour of Israel, though just as biased in the other direction, I strongly disagree with him on inheritance tax.
I agree completely.Yes, I think there needs to be a counterbalance, given the echo chamber Irish media has become on the conflict, but Shatter is the other extreme; he's extremely disingenuous too as he talks about a two-state solution but actively promotes strategies that render it impossible.
His framing of his inheritance tax proposals really irks me, he keeps referring to it as "State sponsored grave robbery". He should at least be transparent and declare to what degree he expects his adult children to benefit from his proposals.
There would be people who would utter the name of a certain former member of the Gardai at this point and question both his integrity and wisdom in that regard.The poster promises Truth, Integrity and Wisdom. That’s good enough for me.
Politically you mean?If he could take out Clare Daly too, that'd be something.
That must be what I meant.Politically you mean?
two neighbouring constituencies.Isn't ex-FG TD Kate O'Connell running as an Independent in that constituency also?
The seats are going to be hard to call there, a headache for whoever is running FG's campaign in that neck of the woods.
No sign of any Count McBinface's this side of the pond, although I see the Monk is running in Dublin Central, rumoured to be trying to spoil things for Mary Lou. If he could take out Clare Daly too, that'd be something.
Yes, he's highly intelligent and a brilliant legislator.I disagree with Alan Shatter on many, many things, but:
1) He’s completely transparent in his views He doesn’t slip and slide or dodge a question
2) He is very hard working
3) I met him professionally once and was genuinely astonished at how much he knew about what he was advocating
He is very, very different from a typical Irish politician.
I think it's a pity he was at cabinet for a mere three years of the 33 he spent in the Oireachtas, most of it as an under-utilised backbench TD.Yes, he's highly intelligent and a brilliant legislator.
I agree.I think it's a pity he was at cabinet for a mere three years of the 33 he spent in the Oireachtas, most of it as an under-utilised backbench TD.
I think the Irish system doesn't make space for TDs who are good at legislative scrutiny and committee work.
Hopefully, though his heritage is a big disadvantage in this country.If Shatter fails at the Dáil I think he'd have a good shot at a TCD Seanad seat.