All but a few election posters remain, dotted around towns in Kildare. Similarly to the candidates after the election, the remaining posters look tired and worn, battered by the changing weather of the last few weeks, clinging by the last piece of string to stay upright on their designated lamp posts. The European election has drawn to a close and unlike the campaign posters whose role is completed, the work of the newly elected MEPs has only begun.
The East sees the return of two MEPs who now begin their second term of office in Brussels. In the overall scheme of events for Aylward and McGuinness, the elections were a distraction from the work they are involved in at EU level. On her Facebook page Mairead McGuinness blogged: "The next five years will be pivotal for Ireland and for the food sector and agriculture in particular. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in." A farmer's work is never done!
Nessa Childers will understandably take the longest to settle into her new role as MEP. This is the time where Ms. Childers must prove that she is more than just a name. She must come out from behind the shadow of her late father and show that she deserves to be in the European Parliament.
All is not lost for the candidates in the East who were not elected. Senator John Paul Phelan and Thomas Byrne TD will return to their day jobs, which cannot be taken for granted in these economic times. Sinn Féin candidate Tomas Sharkey was elected to Louth County Council at the weekend and commented on his Facebook page: "I topped the poll in the Council area and was elected on the first count with a huge surplus." His running mate Kathleen Funchion also begins her work as a local councillor, joking on Facebook: "Any pot holes need fixing?"
The independent candidates will carry on with their lives - back to normality for the three men who remained predominantly under the radar. Jim Tallon has entered every election since 1981 with his highest number of votes polling at 163. On Sunday he trumped his record by receiving 2,412 first preference votes. Don't be surprised if you see Mr. Tallon's name again after this result; coming to a ballot paper near you!
Unfortunately for one of the losers in the East, it can be argued that all is lost for Libertas candidate Raymond O'Malley and his political future. Whether Mr. O'Malley will reinvent himself for the next election or put a halt to his political aspirations like leader Declan Ganley, only time will tell. Libertas has made a lot of enemies on the campaign circuit so keeping a low profile for the foreseeable future is the best option.
And that leaves us with Youth Media for Europe. The European election has been a learning curve, providing an interactive taste of the goings-on of politics at election time. European politics should not be viewed as alien by the young, it is vital to participate in healthy debate, discussing issues of concern. On the flip side, politicians should not overlook the power of the youth and make every effort to get young people involved in topics at local, national and EU level.
Watch out in the future as the youngsters of Youth Media for Europe become the new broadcasters of RTE, the new columnists of the Irish Times or even the new candidates knocking at your door looking for your number one to send them to Brussels. It could be your face on one of those worn out posters next!
Youth Media for Europe
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