Mike Taylor (Fine Gael- Kilrush LEA of West Clare Municipal District)

Name: Mike Taylor

Age: 20 (21 on the 28th May)

Preferred pronouns: He/Him

Party: Fine Gael

Local Electoral Area: Kilrush LEA of West Clare Municipal District, Clare County Council

Is this your first time running? Yes

What are your reasons for running as a young person in politics?

Over the past 10 years there have been many decisions made which affect my generation and we haven’t had a say in them. In 2014, my town lost their local Councillor, as did many small communities due to a boundary redraw. I am standing to rebalance those scales and be a voice for voiceless communities and for young people.

I am the youngest ever candidate to run in my District, as well as the first openly LGBTQ candidate. I was an active campaigner for the Marriage Equality & Repeal of the 8th Amendment referenda.

My main priorities are mental health, physical health, and local infrastructure. One proposal I am especially passionate about is securing funding for mental health and resilience workshops to take place in our secondary schools, and the creation of a youth advisory panel so that young people can directly feed into the decisions made which affect them on Clare County Council.