Disengaged electorate - Turnout a warning on reform delay

Saturday’s referendum, which endorsed the children’s rights amendment to the Constitution by a far narrower margin than had been generally anticipated, carried a worrying message for those who believe that our political system is capable of making this a fairer society or rebuilding our devastated economy.

The very low turnout — 33.49% — might be blamed on any number of things — Saturday voting, the Supreme Court ruling, a degree of confusion over the central issues or even the usual indifference shown by a proportion of voters, but it would be dangerous to imagine deep disenchantment with our political process and our politicians did not have a profound impact too.

When this Government was elected the burden of expectation was proportionate to the great anger and anxiety natural in a betrayed society and economy. The appetite for change was immense and was a decisive factor in the mandate given to Labour and Fine Gael. Conversely, it was reflected in the decimation of Fianna Fáil. But what has changed? Has one decisive, game-changing reform been put in place?

Government and public sector unions may point to the Croke Park deal but the loyalty shown to that process by Government is matched with equally fervent incredulity by most of those living in a world where redundancies and pay cuts are an unfortunate part of life. Its proponents believe the deal as part of the solution to our problems but at least as many citizens of this bankrupt State belive it to be one of the greatest problems facing us all.

The great pre-election palaver about political reform is beginning to seem like a bad joke. Proposals on eliminating or possibly reforming the Seanad seem to have run into the sand. Promises to cut Dáil numbers significantly have not been delivered and the never-ending scandal of politicians’ expenses and pensions rumbles on and on. The promised but continually deferred conference on the Constitution looks a lame-duck talking shop even before it begins its work. The elimination of town councils is no substitute for parliamentary reform.

Far fewer quangos than had been anticipated have been merged or axed. Promises to reverse the emasculation of the Freedom of Information Act are yet to be made real. Universal health insurance seems as far away as ever. One of the greatest scandals of our time — thousands of pension schemes unable to meet their obligations — has not been addressed. Neither have the super pensions enjoyed by those — bankers, regulators and retired Cabinet members — who had such a central role in destroying our economy. The kid-glove deference shown to this group is in stark contrast to the cuts imposed on those at the other end of the income spectrum. So great is the injustice and anger around this issue that it may just be the one — finally — that breaks the camel’s back. It is long past time for Government to be as aggressive and as unsentimental as banks usually are on bank executives’ pensions and salaries.

The great, unspoken mandate for all politicians is that they make it possible for us all to believe in hope, to believe that things can and will change for the better. Another is that we should be able to believe that our public affairs are at least influenced if not shaped by the idea of social equity. So far this Government has not succeeded in doing that and Saturday’s very poor turnout is just one reflection of that fact. It would be more than unfortunate if inaction justified another display of such disengagement, disinterest and despair.