Christian Solidarity Party
Encyclopedia
The Christian Solidarity Party is a registered political party
in the Republic of Ireland
. It has no representation at local or national level. Founded in 1991 as the Christian Party
, it was renamed in 1994 to incorporate the word "Solidarity" following a mutual pledge of support between the party and the conservative
advocacy group
, Family Solidarity
. It contested its first election in the Cork South Central by-election, 1994 - Catherine Kelly received 1,704 (4.0%) of the first preference vote. The CSP took part in the 1997 General Election
and has contested each General Election, and a number of other by-elections since then. It has also fielded candidates in Local and European Parliament elections since its foundation.
to Christian teachings and principles, and its main proposals are based upon traditional, and unequivocal, pro-life
natalism
. The party promotes traditional family values
and campaigns against marriage and adoption by same-sex couples.
The Party has made written and oral submissions to various Oireachtas committees regarding proposed legislation on such family and social issues, as well as on other issues such as Seanad reform. The party describes itself as follows:
The Party also campaigns against the closure announced in 2011 of The Vatican embassy by the irish government, and has organised demonstration about this.
was the founder and lead the party initially. The Dublin central candidate Paul O'Loughlin featured in the partys election broadcast.
At the party's election launch news conference conducted by new leader, Richard Greene stated that the party will campaign on a pro-life and what it calls a 'Euro-Realist' platform and that it will oppose making the poor pay for the economic crisis.
The party polled 0.1% of the votes and no deposits were saved.
None were elected, and none received their election expenses.
None were elected.
, the CSP announced it had no plans to run, but later announced Barry Despard as a candidate. He came ninth of twelve candidates in the Dublin constituency
with 5,352 first-preference
votes, or 1.3% of the valid poll.
, the CSP ran 19 candidates, between the ages of 22 and 82. Some ran in more than one constituency. They spent €12,284.71 on the campaign. The party polled 0.26% of the vote. No candidates were elected, all losing their deposits.
, party leader Gerard Casey
contested the Dublin constituency. He finished 10th out of 13 candidates with 9,425 first preference votes (3.36%). He lost his deposit.
, the CSP fielded 8 candidates and polled 0.5% of the vote. No candidates were elected. All lost their deposits.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It has no representation at local or national level. Founded in 1991 as the Christian Party
Christian Party
Christian Party may refer to the following political parties:*The Christian Party, a historic party in the United States founded by William Dudley Pelley.*The Christian Party, a modern political party in the United States....
, it was renamed in 1994 to incorporate the word "Solidarity" following a mutual pledge of support between the party and the conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
advocacy group
Advocacy group
Advocacy groups use various forms of advocacy to influence public opinion and/or policy; they have played and continue to play an important part in the development of political and social systems...
, Family Solidarity
Family Solidarity
Family Solidarity is an Irish conservative advocacy group run by lay Catholics. Founded in 1984 by supporters of the campaign that led to the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland, it campaigned against the introduction of divorce. Nora Bennis was a member.Sports commentator Michael...
. It contested its first election in the Cork South Central by-election, 1994 - Catherine Kelly received 1,704 (4.0%) of the first preference vote. The CSP took part in the 1997 General Election
Irish general election, 1997
The Irish general election of 1997 was held on Friday, 6 June 1997. The 166 newly elected members of the 28th Dáil assembled on 26 June 1997 when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
and has contested each General Election, and a number of other by-elections since then. It has also fielded candidates in Local and European Parliament elections since its foundation.
Ideology
It is orthodoxOrthodoxy
The word orthodox, from Greek orthos + doxa , is generally used to mean the adherence to accepted norms, more specifically to creeds, especially in religion...
to Christian teachings and principles, and its main proposals are based upon traditional, and unequivocal, pro-life
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
natalism
Natalism
Natalism is a belief that promotes human reproduction. The term is taken from the Latin adjective form for "birth", natalis. Natalism promotes child-bearing and glorifies parenthood...
. The party promotes traditional family values
Family values
Family values are political and social beliefs that hold the nuclear family to be the essential ethical and moral unit of society. Familialism is the ideology that promotes the family and its values as an institution....
and campaigns against marriage and adoption by same-sex couples.
The Party has made written and oral submissions to various Oireachtas committees regarding proposed legislation on such family and social issues, as well as on other issues such as Seanad reform. The party describes itself as follows:
The Party also campaigns against the closure announced in 2011 of The Vatican embassy by the irish government, and has organised demonstration about this.
Prominent members (as of 2011)
The current leader is party president Richard Greene. No longer active Dr. Gerard CaseyGerard Casey (philosopher)
Professor Gerard Casey is a member of the School of Philosophy in University College Dublin . He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Maryvale Institute and an Adjunct Scholar at the Ludwig von Mises Institute...
was the founder and lead the party initially. The Dublin central candidate Paul O'Loughlin featured in the partys election broadcast.
2011 General Election
The party nominated eight candidates in the 2011 general election five in Dublin and one each in Limerick, Meath and Cork.- Paul O'Loughlin (Dublin CentralDublin Central (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dublin Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
) - Michael Larkin (Dublin North WestDublin North West (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dublin North–West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies...
) - Jane Murphy (Dublin SouthDublin South (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dublin South is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
) - Colm Callanan (Dublin South CentralDublin South Central (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dublin South–Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
) - Daire Fitzgerald (Dun LaoghaireDún Laoghaire (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dún Laoghaire is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
) - Conor O'Donoghue (Limerick CityLimerick City (Dáil Éireann constituency)Limerick City is a parliamentary constituency in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
) - Manus MacMeanmain (Meath West)
- Harry Rea (Cork North CentralCork North Central (Dáil Éireann constituency)Cork North–Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
)
At the party's election launch news conference conducted by new leader, Richard Greene stated that the party will campaign on a pro-life and what it calls a 'Euro-Realist' platform and that it will oppose making the poor pay for the economic crisis.
The party polled 0.1% of the votes and no deposits were saved.
2009 Local Elections
For the 2009 local elections, they fielded candidates in 13 constituencies. They were:- Paul O'Loughlin (North Inner City, Dublin City CouncilDublin City CouncilDublin City Council is the local authority for the city of Dublin in Ireland. It has 52 members and is the largest local authority in Ireland. Until 2001, it was known as Dublin Corporation.-Legal status:...
) - Clare Flynn (Ballinasloe, Galway County CouncilGalway County CouncilGalway County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Galway in Ireland. The Council is responsible for Housing and Community, Roads and Transportation, Urban planning and Development, Amenity and Culture, and Environment. The county seat is at Galway County Hall in Galway...
)) - Conor O'Donoghue (Limerick City CouncilLimerick City CouncilLimerick City Council is the local authority which is responsible for the city of Limerick in Ireland. It is the responsible for local government, sanitation, motor vehicles tax, and social housing.-History:...
North) - Colm Callanan (Crumlin-Kimmage, Dublin City CouncilDublin City CouncilDublin City Council is the local authority for the city of Dublin in Ireland. It has 52 members and is the largest local authority in Ireland. Until 2001, it was known as Dublin Corporation.-Legal status:...
. 5 LEAs for Laois County CouncilLaois County CouncilLaois County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Laois in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach...
: Borris-in-Ossory, Emo, Luggacurran, Mountmellick, Portlaoise and 4 LEAs for Offaly County CouncilOffaly County CouncilOffaly County Council is the local authority which is responsible for County Offaly in Ireland. The Council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach...
: Birr, Edenderry, Ferbane and Tullamore)
None were elected, and none received their election expenses.
2007 General Election
The CSP ran seven candidates - two women and five men - in the 2007 election. None were successful and all lost their deposits. Party leader Cathal Loftus received 210 votes in Dublin North, 0.38% of the votes and came last out of eight candidates. Paul O'Loughlin, the party's best-performing candidate, who had recently appeared on the party's party election broadcast, scored just 260 votes in Dublin Central, with 0.75% of the vote. The party as a whole scored 0.06% of the total national vote. The party candidates included:- Mary Doherty (Donegal North EastDonegal North East (Dáil Éireann constituency)Donegal North–East is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies...
) - Clare Flynn (Galway East)
- Paul O'Loughlin (Dublin CentralDublin Central (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dublin Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
) - Colm Callanan (Dublin Mid WestDublin Mid West (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dublin Mid–West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
) - Michael Redmond (Dublin South CentralDublin South Central (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dublin South–Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
) - Conor O'Donoghue (Limerick East)
None were elected.
2004 European Parliament Election
In the European Parliament election, 2004European Parliament election, 2004 (Ireland)
The 2004 European Parliament election in Ireland was the Irish component of the 2004 European Parliament election. The voting was held on Friday, 11 June 2004. The election coincided with the 2004 local elections...
, the CSP announced it had no plans to run, but later announced Barry Despard as a candidate. He came ninth of twelve candidates in the Dublin constituency
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
with 5,352 first-preference
Single transferable vote
The single transferable vote is a voting system designed to achieve proportional representation through preferential voting. Under STV, an elector's vote is initially allocated to his or her most preferred candidate, and then, after candidates have been either elected or eliminated, any surplus or...
votes, or 1.3% of the valid poll.
2002 General Election
In the 2002 general electionIrish general election, 2002
The Irish general election of 2002 was held on Friday, 17 May 2002 just over three weeks after the dissolution of the 28th Dáil on Thursday 25 April by President Mary McAleese, at the request of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern...
, the CSP ran 19 candidates, between the ages of 22 and 82. Some ran in more than one constituency. They spent €12,284.71 on the campaign. The party polled 0.26% of the vote. No candidates were elected, all losing their deposits.
- Tony Smith Cavan-Monaghan - 358 FP votes
- Derek J Whelan Clare - 176 FP votes
- Patrick Manning Cork EastCork East (Dáil Éireann constituency)Cork East is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
- 187 FP votes - Gerry Duffy Cork North CentralCork North Central (Dáil Éireann constituency)Cork North–Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
- 215 FP votes - Gerry Duffy Cork North WestCork North West (Dáil Éireann constituency)Cork North–West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies...
- 383 FP votes - Paul O'Loughlin Dublin CentralDublin Central (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dublin Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
- 366 FP votes - Colm Callanan Dublin Mid WestDublin Mid West (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dublin Mid–West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
- 107 FP votes - David Walshe Dublin North - 247 FP votes
- Michael Larkin Dublin North WestDublin North West (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dublin North–West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies...
- 154 FP votes - Darragh O'Reilly Dublin South WestDublin South West (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dublin South–West is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
- 760 FP votes - John Smyth Dublin West - 134 FP votes
- Michael Redmond Dún LaoghaireDún Laoghaire (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dún Laoghaire is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
- 265 FP votes - Manus MacMeanmain Galway East - 93 FP votes
- Michael Redmond Laoighis-Offaly - 142 FP votes
- Conor O'Donoghue Limerick East - 86 FP votes
- Patrick O'Riordan Limerick West - 144 FP votes
- Brian Lenehan Longford-Roscommon - 80 FP votes
- Michael Maguire LouthLouth (Dáil Éireann constituency)Louth is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
- 79 FP votes - Michael Redmond Meath - 180 FP votes
- John Lacken Sligo-LeitrimSligo-Leitrim (Dáil Éireann constituency)Sligo–Leitrim was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1948 to 2007...
- 166 FP votes - Michael Larkin Tipperary SouthTipperary South (Dáil Éireann constituency)Tipperary South is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies...
- 120 FP votes - Patrick Walsh WestmeathWestmeath (Dáil Éireann constituency)Westmeath was a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas from 1992 to 2007. The constituency was served by 3 deputies...
- 126 FP votes - Michael O'Connor WexfordWexford (Dáil Éireann constituency)Wexford is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
- 173 FP votes
1999 European Parliament Election
In the 1999 (Ireland) European Parliament electionEuropean Parliament election, 1999 (Ireland)
The 1999 European Parliament election in Ireland was the Irish component of the 1999 European Parliament election. The election was conducted under the single transferable vote.-Results:-Voting details :-See also:...
, party leader Gerard Casey
Gerard Casey (philosopher)
Professor Gerard Casey is a member of the School of Philosophy in University College Dublin . He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Maryvale Institute and an Adjunct Scholar at the Ludwig von Mises Institute...
contested the Dublin constituency. He finished 10th out of 13 candidates with 9,425 first preference votes (3.36%). He lost his deposit.
1997 General Election
In the 1997 General ElectionIrish general election, 1997
The Irish general election of 1997 was held on Friday, 6 June 1997. The 166 newly elected members of the 28th Dáil assembled on 26 June 1997 when a new Taoiseach and government were appointed....
, the CSP fielded 8 candidates and polled 0.5% of the vote. No candidates were elected. All lost their deposits.
- Gene Flood Cavan–MonaghanCavan–Monaghan (Dáil Éireann constituency)Cavan–Monaghan is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
- 1024 FP votes (1.72%) - Larry McGinn Cavan–MonaghanCavan–Monaghan (Dáil Éireann constituency)Cavan–Monaghan is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 5 deputies...
- 1001 FP votes (1.68%) - Joe Aston Clare - 499 FP votes (1.06%)
- Eddie Mullins Cork North CentralCork North Central (Dáil Éireann constituency)Cork North–Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
- 777 FP votes (1.77%) - Angela Keaveney Dublin North - 666 FP votes (1.62%)
- Gerard CaseyGerard Casey (philosopher)Professor Gerard Casey is a member of the School of Philosophy in University College Dublin . He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Maryvale Institute and an Adjunct Scholar at the Ludwig von Mises Institute...
Dún LaoghaireDún Laoghaire (Dáil Éireann constituency)Dún Laoghaire is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 4 deputies...
- 2,000 FP votes (3.69%) - Brian Curran Meath - 1,031 FP votes (1.82%)
- John Lacken Sligo–Leitrim - 1,359 (3.01%)
By-Elections
- Dublin Central by-election, 2009Dublin Central by-election, 2009A by-election was held in the Dublin Central constituency in Ireland on Friday, 5 June 2009, following the death of the Independent Teachta Dála Tony Gregory on 2 January 2009. The by-election was held on the same day as the 2009 European and local elections. A by-election was held in the Dublin...
- Paul O'Loughlin - 203 FP votes (0.7%) - Tipperary South by-election, 2000 - Mary Heaney - 784 FP votes (2.6%)
- Dublin South Central by-election, 1999 - Manus MacMeanmain - 399 FP votes (2.0%)
- Dublin North by-election, 1998 - Angela Keaveney - 565 FP votes (1.7%)
- Dublin West by-election, 1996 - Gerard CaseyGerard Casey (philosopher)Professor Gerard Casey is a member of the School of Philosophy in University College Dublin . He is also an Adjunct Professor at the Maryvale Institute and an Adjunct Scholar at the Ludwig von Mises Institute...
768 FP votes (2.7%) - Cork South Central by-election, 1994 - Catherine Kelly 1,704 FP votes (4.0%)
Lisbon Treaty
The Christian Solidarity Party campaigned against the Lisbon Treaty referenda. The party also made submissions to the Oireachtas committee on Ireland's future in Europe after the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty by the first vote. Some members participated in the Cóir campaign and in other anti-Lisbon treaty campaigns.External links
- Party website
- Christian Solidarity Party — from the Irish Times guide to the 2002 election
- Party Soldier, a member's blog — not updated since August 2009
- Christian Solidarity Party Election Literature
- 2007 Christian Solidarity Party Political Broadcast