Stokes Reckons Musk Has A Point

Higgins meets his heroes…

atest press release from Cllr Stephen Stokes, issued on Tuesday, September 9th 2025…

Cllr Stephen Stokes has voiced serious concern at Tánaiste Simon Harris’s approach to the upcoming Irish Presidential election.

Fine Gael Councillors have been issued a diktat to block Independent candidates. Cllr Stokes criticised what he described as a dangerous effort to block Independent candidates from even reaching the ballot paper. Cllr Stokes stated: “The Presidency belongs to the people, not to the political establishment. By actively obstructing Independent candidates, Simon Harris is undermining democracy and restricting the right of citizens to choose from a fair and open field. This is not about protecting institutions, it’s about protecting party interests – and the public can see through it.”

He warned that blocking Independents risks alienating communities and weakening trust in politics. Cllr Stokes added: “This approach by Simon Harris and party HQ reminds me of authoritarian regimes who hate open elections. Perhaps a bit of desperation has set in. It’s a terrible look for his leadership. Instead he should trust his Councillors to make a fair decision, which they are well capable of doing. I have worked alongside many of them. They are good, decent people. I am not advocating for someone like Conor McGregor, but I do believe that there are a number of candidates worth keeping an open mind to.”

Cllr Stephen Stokes has also criticised the priorities of Simon Harris to focus so much negative energy on Presidential candidates. He believes that the Tánaiste should be concentrating on the day-to-day responsibilities of government rather than meddling in the Presidential nominations.

Cllr Stokes remarked: “The Tánaiste would serve the public far better by addressing urgent national issues – housing shortages, hospital waiting lists, and the rising cost of living. In the Greystones District there is a major shortage of school places and children in desperate need of special needs provision. These are to name just a few issues. These are the challenges that demand his full attention, not political manoeuvres to limit choice in a Presidential election. The people deserve leadership focused on solutions, not control.

“Why on earth is Simon Harris spending any time on other candidates in the Presidential election? He needs to take a close look at himself and work out what is actually important to Irish people, not just political elites.”

Ireland’s democracy is built on fairness, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Independent candidates bring fresh ideas and a genuine connection to ordinary citizens. To deny them a route to contest the Presidency is to silence the voices of many people who do not feel represented by the party system. That is a dangerous precedent and deeply disrespectful to the electorate.

Cllr Stephen Stokes called for a change of course. He concluded: “The office of President should never be treated as the private preserve of political parties. It is the highest office in the land, and it belongs to the people of Ireland.

“I urge the Tánaiste to respect the democratic process and ensure that Independents can contest freely and fairly.

“Anything less is a disservice to the Republic.”