'Male, pale, and stale' is political blueprint in Europe, says Fine Gael MEP

As well as ensuring the safety of candidates, Maria Walsh believes every party should be fielding a wide variety of candidates from all backgrounds in the forthcoming elections. Picture: Neil Michael

A Fine Gael MEP has said the level of online abuse she gets has reached such a level that a member of her staff is now regularly monitoring social media sites for threats and intimidation.

Maria Walsh said online abuse of politicians has gotten worse and has become “more sexual” and that she has reported it to social media platforms on several occasions.

Ms Walsh, who is openly gay and has been vice-chair of the LGBTI Rights Intergroup in the European Parliament, said: “Parties need to do more to ensure that their politicians are safe... If we are going to represent a modern Ireland, then we need to have politicians who are representative of us.”

She said an example of the abuse she has received was an online post that suggested she “brainwashes children to be gay”. 

Despite this, she says that trolls and keyboard warriors will not prevent her from seeking reelection at the European elections this year. “I can see though, for new candidates knocking on a door and asking for support, it is terrifying and I would never take away from someone who’s saying that they’ve experienced threats.”

As well as ensuring the safety of candidates, she believes every party should be fielding a wide variety of candidates from all backgrounds in the forthcoming elections.

At a briefing with journalists in the EU Parliament in Strasbourg, she was asked about the candidates announced by Fianna Fáil so far, Brian Cowen, Billy Kelleher, and Barry Andrews.
“I think male, pale, and stale is a very common theme out here (in Europe),” she said.

When you look at our society in Ireland, our society in the European Union, we are not a representation if we continue to send a certain age, a certain skin colour, and a certain gender back here.

Speaking specifically about Fianna Fail’s three MEP candidates chosen so far, she added: “The fact that a governmental party has only come through with three men — well, that’s on them.” Ms Walsh said the onus is on parties to have candidates “who represent our society and politics”.

On attracting candidates from diverse backgrounds, she said: “If you don’t give people an opportunity to vote for somebody who represents them in all forms, you do not have a balanced ticket. 

"Everywhere I go I’m actively looking for somebody who would stand at local, national, or European elections. That’s a value system I have. If you’re not asking, you won’t get those candidates.

“I think it’s very comfortable for people of a certain age with a certain skin colour and a certain gender to sit back and say, well, society will take care of itself.

“People have to feel represented in their politics, but political parties have to do a little bit of heavy lifting to make sure people are being asked.”