Meet the candidates: Keishia Taylor, People Before Profit - Solidarity

Here is our Q&A with Keishia Taylor, who will be looking to secure left-wing votes in the Offaly constituency.

Why did you decide to run in this election for People Before Profit - Solidarity?

I am running in this election to offer a left voice and to build a real alternative to the pro-business, pro-banker, pro-billionaire status quo that stands in opposition to workers, women, young people, and marginalised communities.

What would your party do to solve the housing crisis?

We will fight for hundreds of thousands of public homes on public land, built by a public construction company that takes profiteering out of the equation.

We would implement real rent controls and ban no-fault evictions.

The billions in government surplus and the Apple Tax money should be used in the interests of the majority to immediately deal with the housing crisis and invest in infrastructure and public services. More than enough resources exist in Ireland to house everyone, but prioritising profit is an obstacle to fixing the crisis.

Do smaller parties have any real power to enact change in the Dáil?

Solidarity is made up of campaigners and activists who help to build movements in communities, colleges and workplaces and mobilise people onto the streets.

Nothing is handed down to us by Government, we have to organise and fight for any kind of progress. That is how we defeated the water charges and won Repeal.

Are you based in Offaly, or do you have ties to this constituency?

People Before Profit-Solidarity is standing candidates in every constituency to offer a strong left voice the country.

A general election is about choosing representatives on a national stage, so please use your vote to select candidates who will fight for the interests of the majority and not big business, speculators or profiteers.

What would be some of your main priorities if elected?

The Occupied Territories Bill should immediately be passed and the Israeli State and US war machine should be banned from using Irish airspace and Shannon airport. In contrast, the last government failed to do anything meaningful for the people of Palestine.

But so much needs to be done - massive investment in healthcare, education and public childcare, a just transition fund to tackle climate change, free comprehensive public transport, trans healthcare, disability and carers’ rights...

How would you rate the current Government’s performance?

This Government has presided over massive crises in housing, public services, climate, etc and escalating racism, misogyny, homophobia and transphobia, which is promoted by some candidates standing in this election.

Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and their coalition partners over the years have consciously decided to prioritise profits for the few over the needs of the many.

This is not inevitable and we can fight to change it, but we must start now!