From talking to local people in the Rathmines-Pembroke ward, one gets the overriding impression that what matters to them most is their quality of life. In the developmentalist discourse surrounding the future of Dublin as a city people’s lives are often overlooked. Economic growth and affluence is nothing without its meaning for the lives of ordinary working people. The test of Dublin’s development is not how many Michelin starred restaurants it boasts, it is whether people can afford to live here, get decently paid jobs, schools for their children and access to public services.
This is what I have found, not from a political textbook, but from talking to people on the street. Most people’s lives have been hit – and will be hit – by the cutbacks. It doesn’t matter that these relate to macroeconomics, they affect local people. The local election in June will be about local issues but it will, more than ever, reflect the national situation as well.
That is why I oppose the bus service reductions that will affect the area from April 26th; that is why I am calling for another state school in the Rathmines-Ranelagh area; that is why I oppose the influence reckless developers have had in Terenure Road West and Dartmouth Square; that is I believe that local people should have greater access to allotments to grow their own vegetables. These are local issues but inextricably linked with the impact of the national situation. Vote People Before Profit on June 5th for real difference on Dublin city council.
