Lester James Gordon, Independent

From Kilgolagh on the Cavan Westmeath border near the village of Finea, Lester Gordon is running as an independent.

He was the dark horse of the Local Election campaign earlier this year. Although not taking a seat, he clocked up an impressive 1,434 votes before being eliminated.

Lester works in haulage and crane work.

Why did you enter politics?

We’re a sovereign nation and the people are being annihilated with the likes of hate speech, everything is wrong with this country. There needs to be somebody there to stand up to them. I just want fair play for all our people. I don’t have to be at this. I‘ve a good business going where I can earn a few quid and do well and stop at 2 o'clock and not have to be looking at a few lads asleep up in the Dáil. I will waken them if the people vote me in.

Where do you sit on the political spectrum?

I'm always the sovereign free living man. Common sense would be where I’m standing. Common sense is not common enough!

What is your main campaigning issue?

There’s wreckless migration now. I’m not against people coming into any country, we went into England and we went to America and we worked and drove trucks and built buildings. Nobody got handouts. We’re being crucified in this country for absolutely everything, taxes. My number two is to stop the hate speech bill; then support the farming community. They’re getting annihilated.

What would you do in government to address it?

Close all borders straight away until something is being done about it. It’s not a safe country as it is. These guys coming in, getting huge money to sit up on the State and time on their hands.

Put these in order of importance:

1. Health; 2. Housing; 3. Job creation; 4. Policing (gardaí to be put in line with the constitution); 5. Roads; 6. Education; 7. Defence

Can we afford more refugees?

I wouldn't take them at the minute being honest with you. I don’t mind helping people but they’re talking about war torn countries, the war is only in 20% of the Ukraine.

Should Ireland sanction Israel?

We should mind our own business and look after our own country.

What’s the answer to the biodiversity/climate crises?

Pure nonsense, taxation is what I believe it is. I’d let it be by nature’s own dealings.

Do we need state-run childcare facilities?

We need TUSLA to be upgraded or brought into line. There’s children going missing and there’s a whole lot of stuff and nobody’s being held to account.

One way to help revive towns and villages?

That [revival] would happen if the taxation was not the way it is. People got a rise there recently and they’re worse off now. This whole money is going back to the city of London and probably now Europe. That’s to take the whole money off us and turn us into complete slavery.