Cap Euro election spending at 20k for more debate, less waste - Dubsky

national | eu | press release

Tuesday June 08, 2004 14:47

by Eoin Dubsky

Peace campaigner and independent MEP candidate for Leinster, Eoin Dubsky, today called for a EUR 20,000 cap on campaign spending for the European elections, to encourage meaningful debate and reduce pollution caused by plastic "corriboard" election posters.

"There is no legal limit on campaign spending for the European elections, and consequently the wealthy candidates and parties can afford to manage their public image, avoiding media engagements where they may have to defend their policies and explain what they will do. The much-hyped quarrels between candidates and political parties with almost indistinguishable track records on health, education, foreign policy, and the environment smack of spin doctoring. Independent candidates, and polical parties unable and unwilling to spend their money putting image above substance hardly get a word in edgeways.

"A spending cap of EUR 20,000 would help create a more level playing field for all candidates. It's still more than many independent candidates can afford, but it's not so much that a candidate could run an 'image over substance' postering campaign on it. I believe it would encourage more debate between MEP candidates on radio and TV, and help change the media coverage of the election from something like a horse race, to something more meaningful to citizens choosing representatives for the European Parliament."

Eoin Dubsky has printed only 500 posters on recycled card, which include his primary concerns to fight for as an MEP: "Peace and Disarmament", "Environmental Care and Enforcement", and "Democracy and Accountability". His leaflets (25,000) are printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, using soy-based ink. His website (votedubsky.com) contains press releases and links to further information about Eoin and the issues he is campaigning on as an MEP candidate in the East Constituency (Leinster).

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Comments (5 of 5)

why 20,000

by lkaasd

Tue Jun 08, 2004 14:50

why not 5,000

Bit meaningless but ...

by Joe

Tue Jun 08, 2004 15:26

Because MEP's can neither be mandated or recalled any discussion about making the election of them more democratic (or even issue based) is a bit meaningless. The reason that it looks like a horse race is because it is a horse race.

Promises made at election time are meaningless as once elected the winner can do what they like so many of then don't even bother putting forward promises to break in the first place. They know the electorate knows they can't be held to these promises and that the whole thing is little more that a Eurovision with a more complete voting system and a bigger prize fund.

Some bodies do have elected delegates rather than representative that carry a mandate and can be recalled. Students Unions are often structured in this way and in at least some of them they deal with this spending issue by having the union print the exact same number of election manifestos and posters for each of the candidates for a token contribution.

Q & A with The Irish Times

Tue Jun 08, 2004 16:14

The Irish Times website (ireland.com) sent out some questions to every MEP candidate to answer for their website. At the link below you can read what I wrote.

meps in favour of reform

by pc

Tue Jun 08, 2004 17:59

their voting record

http://www.ep-reform.net/reformindex.php

interesting

The Truth (at last)

by Cleaver

Wed Jun 09, 2004 11:04

Check out the Joe Higgins linkhttp://www.ireland.com/focus/euroelection2004/candidates_higginsjoe.html