The diary of a first-time voter: Go out and vote, even if you don’t feel represented

I realise that my writing on the Irish political system to date has been pretty damning.

My mum told me that if I don’t put a positive spin on things, I’ll totally dissuade the disillusioned youth from voting. Apart from furiously overestimating my social influence (am I basically the next Owen Jones?), she is probably right in thinking that I’ve come across pessimistic.

I don’t, in fact, think that all politicians are creatures of corruption and deceit, driven by desire for profit and power, and controlled by capitalism. I try to consider things objectively. My aunt asked me the other night which long-standing Irish politicians I respected, after I had listed out candidates I was considering — all relatively new to politics.