New Vision | |
|---|---|
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Newvision_Ireland_Logo.jpg){kind=logo} | |
| Leader | None |
| Founded | February 2011 |
| Political position | Independent |
New Vision was an electoral alliance of independent candidates formed to contest the 2011 Irish general election.
The formation of the group was announced at a meeting in Dublin organised by the economist David McWilliams on 31 January 2011. Eamonn Blaney, son of former Independent Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála and minister Neil Blaney, stated that he was launching "a movement called New Vision" and that the group would run candidates in the upcoming general election. He stated that New Vision already had the allegiance of "several strong Independents who will unite around four principles".[1]
The group held a press launch on 9 February 2011 where they revealed the 19 candidates that had agreed to run under the New Vision label. Each candidate had committed to vote en bloc on four issues, but were free to campaign on other national and local issues as they wished. As well as Eamonn Blaney, prominent candidates were his brother MacDara, and Luke 'Ming' Flanagan.[2][3][4]
The four core issues which each New Vision candidate agreed to support were described by the group as:[2]
- The separation of bank debt and sovereign debt
- A viable strategy to create jobs
- The overhaul of politics and the public service
- A better deal for the country's natural resources.
The number of independent candidates in the New Vision alliance subsequently rose to 20.[5][6]
A different political party called Fís Nua, which means "New Vision" in Irish, also ran candidates in the 2011 general election.[1][7] Eamonn Blaney stated that he was "unaware of the existence" of Fís Nua when he registered the business and domain names for New Vision.[2]
- ^ a b McGreevy, Ronan (1 February 2011). "New Vision of informed Independents emerges at meeting held by McWilliams". The Irish Times (subscription required).
- ^ a b c Cullen, Paul; O'Halloran, Marie (10 February 2011). "New Vision tells of public anger". The Irish Times (subscription required).
- ^ "New independent political group launches candidates". Newstalk. 9 February 2011.
- ^ "Election Live - 9 February". RTÉ News. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
- ^ "2011 General Election Candidates by Party: New Vision". irishpoliticians.com. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
- ^ "Constituencies". New Vision. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
- ^ McInerney, Sarah (20 February 2011). "We're Not Fís Nua, We're New Vision". Sunday Times. p. 14.