by Louise Doyle
LETTERKENNY barber Gerry McKeever is to lodge his nomination paper for the forthcoming General Election as an independent candidate, with housing, infrastructure and the fisheries policy central to his manifesto.
While it may be the first political outing for the well-known local barber, who was raised on the Market Square, for more than 40 years Gerry has been quietly listening to stories shared in his barber shop on the town’s Main Street.
Stories of family life and sport have all featured within the walls of Gerry’s Barbers over the decades, but it was during the Covid-19 pandemic Gerry put pen to paper on a book about politics, which, he said, had been stirring for more than a decade.
The book’s title, ‘Benocracy – Democracy’s Last Change’ is a term which incorporates the word benevolence and the suffix ocracy, which means form of rule.
What Gerry’s book suggests is a type of meritocracy – a form of governance that is overseen by those who deserve their positions by way of earning their right through education or experience.
It’s this idea that Gerry says he is carrying forth with his Dáil bid.
Speaking to the Donegal News, he said: “I’m running as an independent candidate. It’s my first time out so I am not really sure what to expect, but I believe the only way forward is to have candidates who are altruistic. People like Alfie Greene encapsulates this for me.
Alfie is a businessman in the town, but he is also someone who is community-focused. He is very proactive in the community, supporting the community as well as many charities.
“People who work within sectors such as agriculture or in any business are really best placed, I believe, to take on the political mantle for the everyday person.”
Asked what issues in particular he hopes to champion, Gerry said: “Like many people I don’t like what is happening in our country. We have no immigration policy in place at all. Another one of my bugbears is the lack of housing and accommodation.
“We need a much better planning process. I don’t see why people shouldn’t be allowed to build their own modular homes, there would be smaller mortgages and rents would also be brought down. Everyone would have movement in the market. We have to do something in this regard. We need a sensible housing policy; one which includes rather than excludes.
In the race for a seat . . . . Gerry McKeever pictured at Market Square in Letterkenny where he was born and raised. The chairs on display at the Square are a throw-back to a time when Gerry’s mother, Mary, placed seats outside their home for those standing waiting on their bus home. Gerry is chasing a seat of a different kind in the next General Election. Photo: Brian McDaid.
“Our fishermen need support, and they need to see increased quotas. We need representation on the Fisheries Committee.”
Gerry said he would like to see a grassroots return to politics.
“Politics should be about the people, and we need to be addressing grassroots issues. We bailed the bank out in 2008, but where have we got since? We are in chaos.
“Fifty to 70 per cent of the TDs in the Dáil are landlords, so I believe the current crisis around housing and rent suits them.
“Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of very good people running for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, but at the end of the day they have to tow the party line, that is where being an independent candidate differs.”
Independent general election candidates must present their nomination paper to the returning officer in the constituency where they want to stand.
Independent candidates must also pay a fee of €500.
The nomination paper must be submitted by 12 noon on the 7th day after the Clerk of the Dáil has issued a writ directing that an election can be held.
Gerry has brought his election bid plans to the social media platform.
“I have made some social media videos on TikTok which have received 4,000 views. While that may not be a lot to some people, it tells me that people are interested in what I have to say. My customers have been very supportive.”
As a barber, Gerry said he finds himself in the privileged position of garnering the trust of his customers, who often open up to him about what is on their mind.
“Customers talk and confide in me. I know the issues that are affecting the local community.
“What I hope to do is to talk to other constituents down the country and to find like-minded people.
“I was brought up on Market Square. I am a very local person, and local is at the heart of all I do. That will be my political agenda.”
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