Rabharta[3][4] (Irish: [ˈɾˠəuɾˠt̪ˠə], lit. 'spring tide/wave'),[2][5][6] previously An Rabharta Glas – Green Left, is a minor Irish political party,[7] launched on 5 June 2021 as a split from the Green Party. At launch, it had two councillors, who had previously been elected as Green Party members — Lorna Bogue, on Cork City Council, and Liam Sinclair, on South Dublin County Council. As of June 2024, it has no elected representation. Its outlook has been described as "eco-socialist".[1]
Rabharta | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Lorna Bogue |
| Founders |
|
| Founded | 5 June 2021 |
| Split from | Green Party |
| Membership (2021) | c. 30[1] |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Left-wing[2] |
| Colours | Shades of green |
| Slogan | Environment and Equality (Irish: Comhshaol agus Comhionannas) |
| Website | |
| rabharta | |
History
editThe party was launched on 5 June 2021 as 'An Rabharta Glas – Green Left'. It was formed by former members of the Green Party, who had resigned in protest over various issues in 2020 and 2021, including the handling of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation report by Roderic O'Gorman as Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and disagreement over the programme for government.[1]
It was reported to have approximately 30 members on launch,[1] and Lorna Bogue was elected as party leader at the party's inaugural AGM.[8]
In May 2023, Bogue announced her candidacy for the 2024 European Parliament election as the party's candidate in the constituency of South.[9]
In November 2023, the party's councillor on South Dublin County Council, Liam Sinclair, resigned his seat due to employment circumstances.[10] This reduced the party's representation on local government to one seat as the Green Party had the right to co-opt a replacement for Sinclair, as he had originally been elected as Green Party candidate.[11]
In April 2024, the Electoral Commission proposed to register Rabharta as a party to contest local elections across the state and European Parliament elections in the constituencies of Dublin and South. This decision was subject to a 21-day appeal period, and would not be in force for the local, European and Limerick mayoral elections in June 2024.[7]
In June 2024, a number of party's candidates contested the local elections, European elections and Limerick mayoral election.[3][12][13] Bogue was not re-elected to Cork City Council and was eliminated at the ninth count in the European elections for Ireland South.[14][15] As none of Rabharta's other candidates were successful, the party was left with no elected representation.
Ideology and policies
editRabharta is a left-wing green party,[2] described as "eco-socialist". Its mission statement is to "reconstruct the political system so that it serves people and nature, not profit and extraction".[1] The party has stated it favours state intervention in the economy to protect against "vested interests".[2] In terms of food production, the party has been described as favouring "decorporation" and decarbonisation.[2]
Election results
editEuropean Parliament
edit| Election | Leader | 1st pref Votes |
% | Seats | +/− | EP Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Lorna Bogue | 11,302 | 0.65 (#13) | 0 / 14
|
New | − |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Gataveckaite, Gabija (1 June 2021). "Former members of Green Party to launch 'eco-socialist' group this weekend". Dublin: Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h McNeice, Stephen (8 June 2021). "Lorna Bogue on new eco-socialist party An Rabharta Glas: 'Our aim is to transform the State'". Newstalk. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021.
- ^ a b Jacques, Alan (27 April 2024). "Rabharta mayoral candidate says DEM ad campaign 'making a mockery of people's agency'". Limerick Post. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ Spencer, Caroline (26 April 2024). "Killian Mangan Running For Tramore – West Waterford City In Local Elections". Waterford News & Star. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ Cllr. Lorna Bogue's interview with Pat Kenny on the Pat Kenny Show (Radio). Newstalk. 8 June 2021. Event occurs at 46:53 minutes. Transcript of Cllr. Lorna Bogue’s interview with Pat Kenny.
- ^ "Rabharta". teanglann.ie. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Changes to Register of Political Parties See New Party Proposed and Name/Emblem Changes for Another". Electoral Commission. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Lorna Bogue [@LornaBogue] (20 November 2021). "Newly elected party leader Lorna Bogue addresses our inaugural AGM 'We want a society where a progressive working…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @AnRabhartaGlas (26 May 2023). "The European elections have just been announced for June 2024" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Finnerty, Mike (1 November 2023). "Sinclair Resigns From Council". Dublin: Southside People. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ Finnerty, Mike (12 December 2023). "Mulhall Takes Seat On Council". Dublin: Southside People. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ Rabbitts, Nick (21 March 2024). "New candidate in race to become Limerick's first directly elected mayor". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Jacques, Alan (10 February 2024). "New candidate for Limerick City East in upcoming elections". Limerick Post. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ English, Eoin (10 June 2024). "Labour's young bloods win three seats on Cork City Council". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ "Counting resumes in Ireland South and Midlands-North-West". rte.ie. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
