A Masterclass In Election Time Radio Interviewing

Luke O’Connor ripostes and counters KCLR’s Brian Redmond in a flawless display of competency

Luke O’Connor, a close personal friend and fellow Kilkenny man, recently announced his candidacy for the general election for Carlow and Kilkenny. After breaking away from the Irish Freedom Party, once the cornerstone of Irish anti-EU politics in the south, O’Connor has had a chance to shine without the baggage of organising for other candidates on top of his own campaign and shine he has. Today, Luke went on KCLR and gave his best interview to date, showing that it is possible to deliver direct, informed responses to a presenter hell bent on painting him as a pariah or a monster. I have often sat with Luke discussing politics and have challenged him myself with my own line of questioning in regards to his positions on various national and global issues. We haven’t always agreed but I can tell you this, he is a formidable debater who can call upon quotes, policies and events from the entirety of Irelands political landscape, currently and historically, with ease. He studies his craft, gives great care to objective truths and argues the economic nationalist case to a standard that would intimidate any card carrying member of Irelands political class. Todays interview is the gold standard for any candidate attempting to break through this election cycle. You need to come across as more rational and more knowledgeable than the interviewer. You need to make an absolute fool out of them to the point that they are desperate to get away from you for fear of permanent damage. Luke achieved that today and will be a hard act to follow when the listeners compare Luke’s interview to the Parseltongue of the other candidates.

Listen to it here:

This general election is the most important vote in living memory. The establishment is a wounded animal after the two referendum losses and the defeat of the HateSpeech bill by an active, angry public. Backing candidates like Luke who fought hard in the trenches with us is crucial to delivering a real hammer blow. The window of opportunity is one day every five years to hit the Dail with all we have got and Luke is a purpose built battering ram.

I will be backing Luke here locally and will ask those who have supported me thus far to do so again as I support him. He needs a small war chest to kick his campaign into the bread and butter stage. Leaflets, posters, registration fees and bus/train fair are obstacles that will make or brake his campaign. He has the man power but not the finances due to his decision to run independently. If you have a candidate in your area that you believe in, back them. If you don’t or if you are in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency then please donate to this campaign.