Battle lines drawn as Longford councillor Gerry Warnock enters general election race

The father of two formally announced his candidacy to stand in next year’s ballot a little over two months after first revealing his intention to vacate his seat at next month’s local elections.

Cllr Warnock said his decision to put his name forward came following several weeks of quiet contemplation and a growing groundswell of support at a local level.

“Since I made my announcement in February not to contest the local elections I have had a tremendous outpouring of support from the local community in Longford town and further afield,” he told the Irish Independent website.

“There have been a lot of people pressing me and asking me about maybe stepping up and having a rattle at the general election.”

The 46-year-old is no stranger to the local political fold having first been co-opted onto Longford’s former Town Council in 2011 following his father, Christy’s retirement.

Over the intervening 13 years, the Longford native went on to retain that seat in the 2014 and 2019 respectively.

His most noteworthy personal political achievement arrived in between those two local elections when, in June 2015 he was elevated to the role of Longford County Council Cathaoirleach.

Cllr Warnock had previously spoken of how his decision to step away from local politics which had been borne out of frustration at ever increasing reductions in local authority powers.

He said those sentiments were feelings he was intent on exacting to Longford-Westmeath’s benefit going forward.

“I wouldn’t be a bit naïve and I know I am going in as an underdog,” he said.

“The parties are still very strong in the Longford/Westmeath constituency, but I said you can’t have any fear of not being elected. You have to give the people someone else to aim their vote at, a different voice, a different opinion because what we have at the minute is simply not working for Longford/Westmeath or indeed rural Ireland.”

Cllr Warnock said his long-service in local government and straight-talking renown were qualities he believes will offer a different and dependable voice for voters.

In an attempt to illustrate that sense of credence, Cllr Warnock said ensuring the long protracted upgrade of the N4 bypass from Mullingar to Rooskey together with delivering a long awaited affordable housing scheme for Longford were two targets in a lengthy political ‘to-do’ list.

“There are an awful lot of issues that this government have failed to address. One of them has been the thorough implementation of the ‘Ireland 2040 Strategy’ which is so important for places like Longford to be able to build our own capacity locally to attract investment and create job opportunities,” he confided.

“But we need full implementation of that plan in terms of getting the necessary infrastructure such as getting the N4 upgrade from Mullingar to Rooskey which is a key piece of kit and is essential for the growth not only of our county town in Longford but for the entire north west region.

“Equally, there is a real need for the implementation of an affordable housing solution for families who are not in receipt of any housing supports and who are thrown to the private rented market.

“These families need assistance and the Government has to intervene in terms of some sort of affordable solution because it is making their lives unsustainable at the minute.”

Cllr Warnock said he hoped those ambitions, allied with his own up-front and candid approach in local political circles will offer a “credible” alternative for voters in a little under 12 months’ time.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 26th