THE CARLOW Anti-Austerity Alliance has selected candidates for the forthcoming local elections, providing what they see as a voice for hard-pressed members of the electorate.
Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins speaking at the Anti-Austerity Alliance meeting in the Seven Oaks Hotel supporting Ned Costigan and Christy McCormack in the local elections in May
Pic: Michael O’Rourke
Leighlinbridge man Ned Costigan will run in the North Carlow municipal district, while Christy Cormack from Kilree, Bagenalstown is the chosen candidate for South Carlow.
“We are providing a voice for hard-pressed working people, pensioners, students and the unemployed, people who feel let down by the existing political parties, in particular, the Labour Party, who promised to defend working people but have in fact been implementing austerity since they assumed office,” said Mr Costigan.
The launch of the Carlow Anti-Austerity Alliance will take place this Thursday, 13 February, at 8pm in the Seven Oaks Hotel, with the Socialist Party’s deputy Joe Higgins among the speakers.
Mr Costigan was Carlow branch secretary of the Building and Allied Trade Union (BATU) for 20 years and part of that union’s national executive committee for 12 years.
Mr Cormack is looking forward to the challenge of running in the local elections and reflecting the “frustrations felt by many with the system”. He currently works part-time in Proctor and Gamble in Newbridge.
Mr Cormack and Mr Costigan have been involved in the Carlow Anti-Austerity Alliance since it was formed last year by activists for the campaign against home and water taxes. Among their election programme is an opposition to all austerity measures and cutbacks, the introduction of a wealth tax and a massive programme of public investment to create jobs. They believe their programme provides an alternative economic strategy to the current economic plan, which is causing huge hardship for ordinary people and failing to provide any significant economic turnaround.
“All those who are interested in building the fight against austerity, including challenging the austerity parties in the local elections, are invited to attend,” said Mr Costigan.
