EDITORIAL: European election too close to call

WITH less than three weeks until voting takes place in the local and European elections, a recent Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll has shown that two Mayo candidates are in with a real chance of taking seats in the five-seater European Midlands–North-West constituency.
Up until last week, sitting MEP Maria Walsh from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil candidate Senator Lisa Chambers were considered outsiders in the huge field of candidates, but last week’s poll has shown both are right in the mix in a very competitive race.
Independent Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan topped the poll in the sprawling Midlands–North-West constituency at 11 percent. Barry Cowen of Fianna Fáil was on 10 percent and his party colleague Lisa Chambers on 9 percent. Similarly, Maria Walsh of Fine Gael is on 10 percent and her running mate Nina Carberry is on 9 percent.
Michelle Gildernew of Sinn Féin is polling at 8 percent, while Independent Ireland’s Ciarán Mullooly is on 7 percent.
Despite not showing up well in the poll, Boyle Sports’ odds have Sinn Fein’s sitting MEP Chris McManus and Aontu leader Peader Tobin very much in the race. It really is still all to play for over the next two-and-a-half weeks.
Senator Chambers has welcomed comments from Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin reaffirming her standing as a candidate for the party in the constituency following Barry Cowen’s assertion that he is the ‘lead candidate’.
She said on Monday: “Tánaiste Micheál Martin’s recognition that there is no single lead candidate in the Midlands–North-West constituency validates my comments and reflects the strength of our team. His acknowledgment of the possibility for Fianna Fáil to secure two seats in this constituency is very encouraging.
“Barry Cowen’s comments about being the ‘lead candidate’ were, in my view, unfounded. However, I appreciate the Tánaiste’s perspective that such comments are part of election dynamics. It’s reassuring to know that the Tánaiste sees value in the competition and acknowledges the strengths each candidate brings to the table.”
Senator Chambers expressed her commitment to working collaboratively with her fellow candidates Barry Cowen and Niall Blaney to achieve the best results for Fianna Fáil.

Outsiders
MAYO’S other two candidates in the field, Michelle Smyth and Saoirse McHugh, are considered outsiders in the race, showing up with Boyle Sports at 10-1 and 50-1 respectively.
The count in the constituency will take place in the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar and it is likely to be a marathon with so many candidates in the field.
Counting in the local elections is expected to take place first, starting on the Saturday and continuing well into Sunday, so it may be Sunday evening or even Monday morning before staff at the centre start the European election count. However, tallies early on Saturday are likely to give a key indicator of who will be in the mix for a seat.
Transfers are likely to be crucial towards the final income, and it may well be the case that the order of the elimination of candidates will go a long way towards deciding who takes the five seats on offer.
But for now, all of the candidates with a realistic chance of taking a seat will be out on the campaign trail in the vast constituency, trying to convince the electorate to give them their number one vote on June 7. It really does look as though all is to play for in Midlands–North-West.