Picture: Brian McEvoy
Bob Geldof is officially throwing his hat into the presidential race.
Yes, the musician and activist has confirmed he’s considering running for President of Ireland, and said it would be an “enormous privilege” to succeed Michael D Higgins.
According to the Irish Independent, the political activist had spoken to Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, about a potential run in a phone call last Friday.
However, the Taoiseach is said to have insisted that Jim Gavin was his preferred candidate for the party.
“I do want something new, stimulating and useful to do,” Bob told the publication.
“Naturally, there is a bit of a dilemma involved in being presented with it even as a possibility.
“Right now, The Boomtown Rats are killing crowds all over Europe on their 50th birthday, and Band Aid, in its 40th year, still daily tries to deal with the war-imposed hunger in Sudan and northern Ethiopia,” he added.
“But it’s true I do want something new, stimulating and useful to do in the next chapter.”
Continuing on, Bob explained how representing the Irish people, known globally for their compassion and generosity, would be “an enormous privilege,” highlighting their contributions to Live Aid.
“Whether Irish people want me to do that job or not is an entirely different question. So clearly, this is something to which I would really have to give careful consideration,” he noted.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Taoiseach confirmed he spoke to Bob Geldof by phone as a courtesy, describing the conversation as serious and constructive, but emphasised that he had already committed to Mr. Gavin.
Bob Geldof has previously been approached twice about running for the presidency but chose not to at the time, making this latest consideration a potentially historic next step.
