Hello,
My name is John Moran and I am calling on you to help make history for Limerick together with me.
Did you know that, in June, for the first time ever, the voters of Limerick go to the polls to directly choose our mayor?
I and others campaigned passionately for this change back in 2019, witnessing with pride as Limerick rocked the established order and became the only place in Ireland which voted yes to change fundamentally how local government works for us.
No longer will political parties get to simply pick one of their own to be our mayor rotating the role and expenses every year to another councillor without our having a say.
Under the new rules, our chosen mayor will be selected directly by all the voters of Limerick and no longer have a mainly ceremonial but in a full time role will wield substantial executive powers. They must be able to make decisions about how best to spend the billion euro budget of Limerick City and County Council, navigate political and business corridors in Dublin and Europe to secure funding, drive major infrastructure projects, and address the needs of our growing population. In short, our mayor must have the skills and experience to understand our needs and we must know that we can count on them to get the things done right.
Many of you who know me have encouraged me to run for mayor. You know full well that I will not be in awe of the scale or complexity of the decisions a mayor will have to make. I am touched and humbled, thank you for your trust in me. While politics wasn't part of my career plan before now, I have been seriously considering your advice and weighing its impact on my family and friends and working out how to be a candidate.
It requires help from you, the voters of Limerick, to gather together and nominate me as your independent candidate.
Like you, I care passionately about Limerick and its future. I grew up in Limerick, and, although I love Limerick, like many others in the 1980s, I had to leave. I worked in cities like New York, Sydney and Dublin. But, I am now back home to Limerick with a range of professional experiences under my belt, across leading roles in law, banking, and public service. Since settling home, I have been involved with organisations both big and small, including the Land Development Agency, European Investment Bank, Takumi Precision Engineering, Grid Finance, Narrative 4, Lean on Me and the Hunt Museum.
I have also focused particularly on roles guiding Limerick and its critical infrastructure such as at through Shannon Airport, the Limerick Tunnel, the Limerick Economic Forum all the while trying to do my bit to help save some of Limerick's Georgian heritage.
I come to this election with no external policy constraints other than your wishes. I am not and have never been a member of any political party.
But today is not about me. It is about you and how you can help make this historic reform work best for Limerick. There is a lot to be done in the short time to the election in June.
This election presents an unparalleled opportunity for us to debate alternatives and agree what better looks like to move Limerick, city and county, forward.
I have been very involved in that debate already. I have seen much progress but frustratingly I have also seen Limerick fall behind other parts of the country. I make no apology for wanting and demanding better for Limerick and all of its people, old and new.
In the weeks ahead, I want to hear from you and spread the news as we define what you believe a mayor should do for you, your community and Limerick, as a whole. I also want us all to register to vote to make our opinion matter where it counts most at the polling stations right across the full county. And hopefully when you have done that, you'll consider being part of my nomination group as an independent candidate for the election.
Our challenges— like housing shortages, healthcare disparities, lack of opportunity for all of our young people, dying city centre and towns and others —require solutions rooted in our common interest, not political party lines. Grassroot-led support can reshape Limerick's political landscape. The challenges and opportunities facing Limerick require an independent voice with a relentless Limerick-focused determination.
Having witnessed first-hand the very heart and workings of Irish government, we must show the political parties that they can no longer expect that the office of OUR mayor belongs only to THEM, as it has done for decades. That solution has not served us well. We need to rekindle the spirit of 2019 with the same grass roots support to send the message that this is neither the only nor the right answer.
Our problems are not political party ones, they are problems of everyday life. For that reason, I, for one, am asking to you to support me the candidate for mayor who will put Limerick first and not sacrifice Limerick's needs at the altar of a political party HQ.
Our future can be brighter if we reimagine it together. We need honest dialogue and a new approach to leadership and how decisions are made to secure a prosperous future for the next generation, and their children.
If you share my vision for a better Limerick, I urge you first to ensure your voice is heard by registering to vote. Then, come on board our campaign to put an end to divisive politics and embrace a better future together.
To get More for Limerick, please vote No 1 Moran for Mayor.
Thank-you
John