Close but not just close enough.
Fianna Fáil’s Naeem Iqbal got 624 first preference votes in this year’s Local Elections in the Portlaoise Municipal District, which was 170 more than he did as an Independent candidate five years ago.
But he was eight votes behind Labour’s Marie Tuohy on the first count and slipped further and further back as the count progressed and the transfers didn’t come his way.
“We did what we could do – try to run the best campaign,” he said when speaking to the LaoisToday Local Election podcast on Monday, recorded in the Count Centre.
“We used all sorts of mediums of campaigning; we went to the people, represented ourselves, our agenda, our thoughts, our ideas.
“Now at the end of the day, it’s people’s choice. I respect what they have decided.
“I didn’t get enough of the transfers that I was expecting, and perhaps within the party itself, I didn’t get much of the transfers.
“If I look to my colleagues in the party, they did not get the first preferences as compared to what they got in 2019. So they themselves are lagging behind, so there wasn’t enough from them to transfer back to me.
Despite missing out, the Pakistani native said he has thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“Fantastic. Look, there are only seven seats, 20 candidates; not everyone can win. What we can do is we can go out with a positive frame of mind, do our best, connect with the people, present ourselves, and let the people decide who they want.
“I have no regrets. I see Fianna Fáil as a party – at Laois level at least – with very good coordination. We worked as a team, we had very intense internal planning. They’re a great support here, from Sean down to all the members.
“So no, I have no regrets. It’s just time – it’s probably not in our favour. As a whole, Fianna Fáil did not receive enough of the first preferences.
“Look, we’ll work hard, regroup ourselves, reconnect, and we’ll come back stronger.”
Would he like to run again in five years’ time? “Definitely yes. If the party decide for me, yes, I will go.”
SEE ALSO – Check out all our 2024 Local Election coverage here
