WITH ALL talk turned towards General Election and when it might happen, Wexforde has a new candidate to consider as local engineer Leonard Kelly has declared for Ireland’s newest party, the Social Democrats.
Mr. Kelly, who contested last year’s local elections and was the last candidate to be eliminated, had previously expressed political aspirations to this newspaper but was then unsure as to how he might proceed.
In the time since then, the 40-year-old father-of-four has teamed up with the new party which is helmed by TDs Stephen Donnelly, Catherine Murphy and ex-Labour Minister Roisin Shortall.
Leonard has been involved in a number of local, community organisations for many years and recently was instrumental in the setting up of the Friends of It’s Good to Talk, a fundraising wing for the local counselling charity. He is also a board member of the Wexford Educate Together Primary School and Wexford County Childcare Committee.
He says that working in these areas has hardened his conviction in the “absolute importance of investment in our local communities” and crystallised his understanding of the issues facing these and many sectors of society.
Mr. Kelly achieved an honours degree in Quality Management and a Primary degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy. For the last 15 years, he has worked in a variety of project and quality management roles in the Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Manufacturing sectors. As a result of this, he believes in the importance of ethical, evidence based decision making.
He said: “I am delighted to announce that I will be running as the Social Democrats’ candidate for Wexford. Entering national politics is not a decision I have taken lightly. Currently working full time in a challenging career, and with a young family, I am acutely aware of the time constraints and challenges that lie ahead. But I have never been afraid of a challenge.”
He said that after running in last year’s Local Election, he had continued to work actively with his local community.
“For a number of years, I have believed that there is a need for a new way of doing politics in this country, one where ideals of inclusion, empathy, and evidence-based decision making can co-exist with a strong sustainable economy.”
He remarked that the integrity of the founding members of the Social Democrats, coupled with the party’s clear vision of a future Ireland, had attracted him to an actual political party for the first time.
“I now wish to do all within my power to make this vision a reality for all of us. If elected, I will work with my colleagues, and engage with as many people as possible to achieve this.”
