Ganley has the power — but not the mandate

IT seems Libertas leader Declan Ganley (September 3) is reluctant to put himself forward as a candidate in the European elections, saying he doesn’t feel like a natural politician — whatever that means.

The reason why we have a reluctant future MEP must surely be that Mr Ganley knows he has more power and freedom to comment and criticise without scrutiny from the place he is now in than if he were to be elected.

It is quite an extraordinary and sad fact that people without any electoral mandate often have much greater media access, where real power and influence prevails, than the majority of elected representatives.

Mr Ganley has both the trappings of power in his current status as head of Libertas and real power, too, without ever having to stand for election.

The issue surely gives rise to many questions.

Mairead McGuinness MEP

ASP 8F 265

European Parliament

Rue Wiertz, 60

B-1047 Brussels