In a statement today the People Before Profit Alliance announced that Brid Smith, a People Before Profit Dublin City Councillor from Ballyfermot/Drimnagh, will stand for in the election for Dublin’s first directly elected Mayor.
Brid will provide a radical alternative to the parties of the political establishment. Brid will campaign to transform Dublin into a Peoples City: A city run for the people by the people. If elected she will take a salary equivalent to average wages.
She is calling on all those who are angry at current government policies and at the way Dublin is being run to vote for her.
Brid will be campaigning for jobs, housing and an integrated public transport system for the whole city. She is opposed to water charges and wants to reinstate the waiver on bin charges for the poorest householders. She believes local government should be properly funded through a progressive tax system.
Brid said
“I am running to give a voice to all those who are unhappy with the government and at the way the City is being run. All of the established parties are responsible for the problems in Dublin. Local government is a merry go round with deals been cut by all the parties so that they can share the spoils of office.
I want a City that provides jobs, decent housing, good public transport, a clean environment and good local services for all. A City that puts people’s needs first.
The people must have a greater say. City and county managers have too much power. Elected councillors should be deciding policy. I will hold public forums throughout the City to hear the views of the people.
Irish politics has not yet broken from an establishment consensus that pits FF-Green against Fine Gael-Labour. While many want to see an end to the present government, few believe that the alternative will be much better. This election provides an opportunity to start building a real alternative to the failed establishment parties”
Brid is now constructing a large and broad based campaigning organisation that is determined to create an electoral shock and secure victory in this poll. Her aim is to build a broad campaign that stretches beyond her own organisation, People Before Profit, to embrace that many strands of opposition that are developing to our failed government.
Contact Brid Smith at 087 9090166