Social Democrats (Ireland)

Social Democrats
Daonlathaigh Shóisialta
Leaders Stephen Donnelly, TD
Catherine Murphy, TD
Róisín Shortall, TD
Founded 15 July 2015 (2015-07-15)
Ideology Social democracy
Political position Centre-left[1]
Colours Purple
Dáil Éireann
3 / 166
Seanad Éireann
1 / 60
Local government
4 / 949
Website
www.socialdemocrats.ie
Politics of the Republic of Ireland
Political parties
Elections

The Social Democrats (Irish: Daonlathaigh Shóisialta[2]) is a political party in Ireland. The party was launched on 15 July 2015 by three independent TDs, Stephen Donnelly, Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall, who are to share leadership of the party until after the 2016 general election.[1][3]

History

From its foundation the Social Democrats has been led by three TDs. Shortall is a former Labour Party TD and former Minister of State for Primary Care. Murphy was successively a member of the Workers' Party, Democratic Left and the Labour Party before being elected as an independent TD in 2005. Donnelly first entered politics as an independent TD in the 2011 general election having previously worked as a consultant for McKinsey and Company.

Since its launch the party has announced 14 electoral candidates, including the three incumbent TDs along with ex-Labour Party Senator James Heffernan, Longford County Cathaoirleach and Councillor Gerry Warnock, Dublin City Councillor Gary Gannon and Fingal Councillor Cian O'Callaghan.[4]

Its other public representatives include Jennifer Whitmore of Wicklow County Council.[5]

Ideology

At the party's founding its three TDs stated their support for the Nordic model of social democracy, backed the repeal of the Eighth Amendment and Official Secrets Act, and stated their opposition to domestic water charges.[6][7][8]

Their manifesto was launched in January 2016, and lists commitments to "three core areas":

  • Policies that support a healthy, inclusive and progressive society.
  • Policies that ensure a strong, stable and vibrant economy, and support Ireland’s SMEs with the same vigour that’s applied to the multinational sector
  • Policies that make politics and government more transparent and responsive to public, rather than party need.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Social Democrats latest new Irish party ahead of uncertain elections". Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "Independents launch Social Democrats political party". The Irish Times. 15 July 2015.
  4. ↑ "Social Democrats reveal five election candidates". BreakingNews.ie. 4 August 2015.
  5. ↑ http://stephendonnelly.ie/wicklow-broadband-speeds-below-par/
  6. ↑ "Newly-formed Social Democrats pledge to abolish water charges". RTÉ News. 15 July 2015.
  7. ↑ "Ireland’s newest political party will abolish water charges and repeal the 8th". TheJournal.ie. 15 July 2015.
  8. ↑ "New Social Democrats group pledge to abolish water charges and repeal the Eighth Amendment". Irish Independent. 15 July 2015.
  9. ↑ "Policies". Social Democrats website. Retrieved 3 February 2016.

External links

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