As if waking up in flares and a jean jacket with a fur collar attached were not bad enough on their own to cope with, I have also just remembered that Margaret Thatcher is still in Number 10 across the water and wallowing in the glory of the Falklands War, Ultravox are top of the charts singing about Vienna........................Thank God the new me is an Irish Citizen!
So have I lost the plot? Probably lost that a long time ago! but the story below which came from the Irish Election Literature Blog https://irishelectionliterature.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/election-lookalikes/ has spooked me completely!!
Can two candidates who share the same name, the same facial features and the same political thought possibly stand for election 30 years apart in two different countries!
I guess so? Now where did I put my "COAL NOT DOLE" badge?
VOTE TONY CLARKE NORTHAMPTON 2010
VOTE TONY CLARKE DUN LAOGHAIRE 1982
Don't flatter youself - you don't look a bit like Brendan Grace! That's him in 1982.
ReplyDeleteDublin's Riviera - spelled Dun Laoghaire, in County Dublin, where out of necessity, many a good man/woman left from, to make a life for themselves on these shores.
ReplyDeleteAnon, I can sing like Brendan Grace, but he is not half as good looking as my namesake above.
ReplyDeleteHistory from what I can gather:
The Independent Socialist Party was a far left political party in Ireland. It was founded in 1976 as a split from the Irish Republican Socialist Party named the Irish Committee for a Socialist Programme, calling for more prominent socialist politics and less emphasis on paramilitary activity. The following year, it renamed itself the “Independent Socialist Party” and was joined by former UK Member of Parliament Bernadette McAliskey.
The party entered discussions with the Socialist Workers’ Movement (SWM), with the aim of forming a joint organisation, but the SWM chose instead to join the Socialist Labour Party in 1978. As a result, the Independent Socialist Party decided to disband.
Some of its members then went on to stand as Independent Socialists in future elections. Whether Tony Clarke was one of them I don't know?
I would be fascinated to find out if anyone knows.
This story really ages me-I remember when she was Bernadette Devlin and was leading the Civil Rights movement in Derry!
ReplyDeleteahh the historic political mutterings and thoughts from Mssrs Clarke and Dickie. Good for you guys - all good fun, very interesting and most importantly leaving the parliamentary representative stuff to those who are serious about it.
ReplyDeleteps - that banner above relec needs to come down.
Anonymous I defend your right to be so negative, heres to free speech and open blogging which rarely exists within any of the three main parties.
ReplyDeleteAs for the banner it will come down when I am ready for it to come down, I may leave it up there now for next years election just to annoy you!
At least you have a history Tony and are not just a Johhnny come lately. It's nice to reminisce even if all of it isn't joyful recollection. I like the banner, leave it there. I too remember Bernadette 'Devlin' - a hard woman who fought rightly or wrongly for what she believed, unlike some. She wasn't one to sell out or jump on bandwagons.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,And your point is?
ReplyDeleteWho are you saying has sold out?The Lib-Dems? Or those in Northampton who believed that Clyde Loakes was the genuine article(Interestingly my spell check for Loakes offers Loathes!)
And by the way the struggle that Bernadette put up both on the streets of Derry and in the Commons was certainly right in that time.
God Tony I adore your blog/posts...
ReplyDeleteIt makes me smile, for various reasons.
And if you keep you banner up you HAVE to stand next time around.
Oh; and John... have you asked Tony yet?
You must always qualify statements like that Mr Dickie with 'in my opinion'. don't you think.
ReplyDelete"in my opinion" as John puts his name at the top of his post then we already know that it is his opinion, whereby the opinion of someone who is "Anonymous" by its very nature could be anyones opinion? and can never be qualified!
ReplyDeleteTony,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on becoming an Independent Socialist at last, albeit in the past!
Paul
Thanks Paul, I think!! I am more a Socialist who is Independent if that makes sense?
ReplyDeleteAnon,
ReplyDeleteOnce again,what is your point?
Such sophistry from one unwilling to identify yourself.In my opinion your the sort of tedious
bar-room bore who likes to make smart arsed comments to remind people your still there!
I guess you are the last Liberal-Democrat standing-or you are Clyde Loakes!
Poor bitter and twisted little Dickie. Now go and play scrabble with your only pal Tony.
ReplyDeleteFrom Tory Boy. Come on David, come on David.
??????????????????????????????????????????????????
ReplyDeleteDitto Tony....
ReplyDeleteAre you having a moment there Anonymous?
It can't be any of the Lib Dem guys; I can't see anyone of them routing for the Tories...
Oh wait; yes I can!
Is there any Tory supports left? Haven't they all got punch drunk and gone back to their stately homes?