Bríd is a full-time carer and an activist in both the trade union, UNITE and the People Before Profit Alliance.
Bríd lived in Ballyfermot for the past twelve years and has stood in the last two elections as a candidate for the People Before Profit Alliance and the Campaign Against the Bin Tax. In the local elections of 2004, she narrowly missed winning a seat and also polled very well in the last general election.
Bríd has recently moved back into Drimnagh area and was recently selected as the candidate for People Before Profit Alliance in the new Ballyfermot/ Drimnagh Ward for the local election in 2009 and successfully won the seat. The constituency now includes, Drimnagh with Ballyfermot, Chapelizod, Inchicore and Bluebell.
The People Before Profit Alliance was established recently to bring together community, environmental and trade union activists to support each other on various campaigns and issues. It does what it says on the tin and stands for promoting politics that put the needs of people and community before the profits of big business and the bankers.
In Ballyfermot Bríd has been known for leading the Campaign Against the Bin Tax. In 2003 she was jailed along with 23 others for involvement in anti bin tax protests. More recently Bríd led a campaign to save the respite services in Cherryorchard Hospital. We secured the services against cut backs by the HSE. This year we have been active trying to defend local services which are being slashed by the policies of Government. Special Needs in schools and bus services have been badly hit in the area and we are trying to build a strong opposition to these and other cuts.
Bríd says
“If elected I would organise in our communities to improve services and stop the cuts. There are many houses that need refurbishment. There are parks that need maintenance. There are services being run down on the basis of saving costs that in the long run will cost our society more. I believe that there are too many working people thrown into unemployment and that our council should employ people on a public works programme to carry out the needed refurbishment and maintenance of our housing stock and public amenities.
I am totally opposed to the policy of bailing out banks at the expense of working people and would use the office of local councillor to highlight this injustice and organise opposition to it.”
Why should people vote for Bríd Smith? For the reasons outlined above. But also because she believes like thousands of others, that it is time for a real change in the political direction of our country. The Local Elections is just one opportunity to send a message to the Government that their failed politics are over and that the greed of the Golden Circle of politicians, developers, builders and bankers cannot be allowed to continue. It’s time to put People Before Profit.
You can contact Brid on 087-909-0166 or by email at smithbrid@hotmail.com
