IRELAND: Senior citizen party 'confident' of poll success

. DUBLIN, Ireland / Independent / April 30, 2009 By ine Kerr A new political party representing senior citizens is claiming it can hold the balance of power after the general election. Founder of the Senior Solidarity party John Wolfe (70), who is running in the local elections in Howth-Malahide, Co Dublin, said he was confident the party could win a "substantial" number of seats in the next general election. "We've people in the wings who are ready to run in the general election. We are confident that we can hold the balance of power after the next election," Mr Wolfe said. Click for video "We would have run more candidates in the local elections because there were plenty of people lining up but we only got our registration certificate on March 25, even though we lodged our application in November." The retired builder said he is receiving "fantastic support" on the doorsteps since he started canvassing. He is calling for a medical card for all people over 70, free parking at hospitals, an ombudsman for senior citizens and a "fair deal for nursing homes, not a raw deal". Support is coming from people of all ages, he said. "Young people say that voting for us is a vote for their mams and dads and their futures." © Independent.ie