A second independent candidate has declared for Galway West with the announcement by Mike Cubbard that he will be running in the 2011 General Election.
Mr Cubbard and councillor Catherine Connolly - who launched her campaign last week - are so far, the only two independents in Galway West.
Mr Cubbard is a 25-year-old who works for Aviva Insurance in Knocknacarra. He is the under 16 coach at Galway Hibernians/Foyle in Bohermore and Crestwood. He stood as an independent candidate in the 2009 local elections.
“At 25, I feel I offer the electorate a good alternative to voting for a political party and if elected will represent the people of Galway West in an open, honest, transparent manner,” he said.
Mr Cubbard believes the current political party system is outdated and “must be changed”.
“We need a total revamp of the system and how we look at politics in this country,” he said. “I believe I offer a new vision and see this election as a opportunity to give Ireland a fresh start.”
He has also pledged that he will “not support any further bank bailouts”.
“The current Government have accepted a disastrous deal for Ireland and are gambling with the future of later generations,” he said. “This cannot be accepted. Cutting social welfare is not the answer. It seems the same sections of society are paying again and again and the rich remain to get richer.”
Mike Cubbard can be contacted on 087 4155391 or at [email protected]