Disappointed Hackett says Greens “need to re-connect with people”
Even though she admits to being disappointed at not being elected as the new leader of the Green Party, local Minister for State Pippa Hackett says she's determined to continue her mission to “re-connect with people” in the run up to the next general election.
The results of the leadership contest, which saw Minister Hackett go head-to-head in a two-way contest with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman, saw the Geashill-based farmer receive 912 votes, 72 fewer than her rival who secured 984.
The total number of votes cast in the leadership contest was 1,896, from an electorate of 3,425 Green Party members.
Reflecting on her leadership bid, Minister Hackett said “of course I was in it to win it, and there is obviously disappointment but I have given my full backing to the new leader and overall it was a very positive experience”.
Having met many Green Party members and supporters during the leadership campaign, and participated in three 'hustings', Pippa Hackett says there was “a strong desire” among members to have the party’s message delivered in “a more inclusive way.”
She admits that the Green Party has been perceived as being “a bit dismissive and a bit preachy” and she is determined to reverse that narrative.
“Even when you look at the really positive message from the Environmental Protection Agency this week, that greenhouse gas emissions here are the lowest they have been in 30 years, I think there is a really strong desire out there among the general public to do the right thing.”
However she adds that the Green Party has to be seen to be “bringing people along with us on the journey, and not alienating them by talking down to them”.
The positive environmental message for Ireland shows “a strong willingness” among the general public to embrace the green message, according to Pippa Hackett and she says it is “a huge achievement” for the country to have reduced its greehouse gas emissions by 30% at a time of strong economic and population growth.
On a personal level, Minister Hackett says the day-to-day life of a politician is “a very busy one” and she is very thankful for the strong support she has received from her family, which she alluded to in her speech at the announcement of the new Green Party leader, where she thanked her husband, Mark, and her family for their “ongoing love and support” and also thanked her mother, Jeannie.
Having lost her father last year and her only sibling, her brother, Jay, in 2019, Pippa Hackett says the last five years have been “a tough road on a personal level” for her family, but she says she knows her late Dad and brother would be “very proud” of her.
“They are with me every day,” she adds.
Pippa Hackett will remain on in her position as Minister for State in the Department of Agriculture with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity until the next general election. As to when that election will be called, she says she has “no idea” but adds that all parties in government are adamant that it will run its full term until next March.
“I really enjoy getting out and about and engaging with people, so the longer this government lasts the more opportunity I will get to to do that,” she says.
“The strong message I got from the leadership campaign is that we do need to support people and re-connect with them, so I am going to continue on my mission to do that.”
When asked to assess her chances of being able to secure a Dáil seat for the Green party in the newly-reconfigured standalone constituency of Offaly at the next election, Minister Hackett says it is “up to the electorate” as to who they decide to vote for.
“All I can do between now and then is play my part by continuing to work hard at delivering the green message in a respectful, supportive and positive way,” she adds.