European election candidate Barry Cowen embarks on Longford charm offensive

Friday, May 17, 17:37, the door of the Longford Leader swings open. Fianna Fáil are in Longford town, and it's 20 days before the local and European election.

An Tanaiste, a local TD, a Euro election candidate and a social media team sweep through the office as part of the charm offensive to secure as many seats as possible for the party, particularly one they have not held since 2009.

Almost four million voters in Ireland can cast a ballot to decide which 14 MEPs will represent the three constituencies of Dublin (four seats), Midlands North West (five seats) and South (five seats).

The Midlands North West has 27 candidates contesting the race for the five Parliament seats. Among them is Barry Cowen.

Also read: Thirty-nine candidates in the race to fill eighteen Longford County Council seats

An elected representative since 1991, a TD since 2011, and a third generation politician whose brother held the highest political office, Mr Cowen is considered the party's best bet for a seat in Midlands North West.

A poll the day after his Longford visit will suggest the Offaly man is joint second in the polls. Only Independent Luke Ming Flanagan is ahead, while sitting MEP Maria Walsh of Fine Gael shares a similar 10% poll points.

In Longford town, he's all business. In the company of Micheál Martin he chats and engages with local voters.

After the blitz of the town's main streets he returns to Pig Market Lane, where a gathering of local party members socialise.

He's eating “on the hoof” and rejects an offer to postpone an interview until after he has consumed his nourishment.

Also read: Longford European election candidate wants to bring about change for betterment of people

There is an impression he gets more sustenance from the hustings than from any food. The statement there's “always been a Fianna Fáil seat” in the constituency, despite defeats in the last two elections, is one Mr Cowen flatly refutes: “We haven't won one since 2009. We've lost it ever since,” he states.

The reply is partly confrontational, but also an acknowledgement of the task ahead. Last time out Brendan Smith was FFs hope. Eliminated after the 12 count the Cavan Monaghan TD was passed by two Independents and a Green party candidate before counting was done.

Mr Cowen says constituency changes will alter the dynamics of the 2024 election: “There's a better chance of winning the seat by virtue of the fact that it's gone to a five-seater. Laois Offaly has gone back into its natural hinterland in the Midlands counties.

Offaly is a Leinster county, so it's a good base from which to work towards winning a seat. That was the reasoning behind my decision,” he says.

Fianna Fáil will run three candidates; Niall Blaney and Lisa Chambers completing the ticket. Mr Cowen believes he's the party's forerunner: “Having been selected by the members as the lead candidate I'm obviously very conscious and committed and willing to win that seat.

Also read: On Longford canvass Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus highlights regional imbalance

“The recent polls show it won't be easy. We had hoped to be competitive for two. That's certainly not the case now. We want to win one,” he said.

At 56 years of age Mr Cowen is fairly young by political standards. Leaving Leinster House behind for Strasbourg and Brussels is not the typical career shift.

He says his motivation is the increasing importance of European political representation: “Look at the progress we've made since we joined the EU in 1973. It's provided the potential to open up our produce and our services to a population of 450 million people.”

He highlights issues like Brexit, COVID, the cost of living crisis, and the war in Ukraine as illustrations of how important the union of Europe is: “People have seen and appreciated the huge difference Europe has made.

“Look at COVID as an example. The pooling of resources, the pooling of expertise from across Europe, the provision of a vaccination programme that was fair and equitable in its delivery showed people the solidarity amongst the European counterparts. It was of huge benefit to our population during that time.”

A total of 27 candidates are vying for the five MEP seats. In a packed field Mr Cowen is a nationally recognised politician, but there are a good number of other high profile candidates.

Also read: Micheal Martin and Fianna Fail MEP candidate argue at campaign launch

“I can understand why some parties may put forward celebrity candidates,” he says of the competition, “The electorate are faced with a ballot paper of 27 names in this case and they immediately identify with people that are known to them. They may vote accordingly.

“It opens a door. I'm not saying it'll keep the door open or they'll be able to go through it, but it's definitely a help. What depth the candidate has after is for the campaign to iron out.”

Mr Cowen highlights what he offers voters: “I led our party on various issues like social protection, housing, public expenditure, I've helped negotiate the programme for government and deliver the programme for government.

“I have a good understanding of how the system works, how the government works, and the interaction between government and the EU. I would hope I'd be able to bring that to bear, people will recognise the potential I have as a strong negotiator who can act in the best interests of the region.”

Barry Cowen will be one of the 27 names on the European election ballot paper when Irish voters go to the ballot box on June 7th to decide on the 14 MEPs for the European Parliament.