The well-known ‘Ireland Simpsons Fans‘ Facebook page has launched a political party known as The ISF Party. They have hopes to represent members of Irish society who feel sidelined by the main Irish political parties.

The Ireland Simpsons Fans have had a strong presence on Facebook since 2016 and Twitter since 2017. They have been commentators on current Irish affairs, communicating through the medium of Simpsons memes.

Although the ISF is not yet a fully registered party, they have launched a website where fans can subscribe to their newsletter and join the ISF Party.

“There is a crisitunity in Irish politics,” their website reads

“Landlords are eating you and everyone you care about. Insufficient bear tax has diminished the wild bear population. The rich click their tongues and destroy the climate.

“For years, we have used ‘Can’t someone else do it?‘ – and we are that someone else.”

“The ISF Party is Ireland’s newest all-island political party,” the statement read.

They announced on Twitter that it has received over 1,100 membership requests since they launched, meaning they are already bigger than existing parties Aontu and Renua.

An official party manifesto is yet to be revealed, but ISF has been sharing details of where the party’s stands about certain issues.

They tweeted that they are a “no TERF club” and it aims to “turn Ireland into the most progressive country in the world for trans rights”.

https://twitter.com/TheISFParty/status/1174702035347935235?s=20

ISF has also stated that they oppose Direct Provision and Fianna Fáil.

“Ireland should be proudly open to granting asylum,” the ISF tweeted.

Despite many thinking this is a stunt, page founder Jack Leahy told the Irish Mirror that it’s all serious.

“We are genuinely intending to register and have easily exceeded the number required,” Leahy said.

“Politics is changing and the idea of a Simpsons meme party honestly is no longer even a little crazy.

“I think it’s crazy that nearly 600 people would join a meme party this quickly.

“We always knew that working with such a big group would ensure a level of success for the concept anyway.

“But mostly it’s because the group is full of 18-35 year olds who are expressing their political homelessness this way.

“I think that’s a major indictment of political parties.”

Under current legislation, the party is on the way to being eligible to register as a party.

Citizens Information states:

“[Your party] must have not less than 300 recorded members aged 18 or over. A party that applies for registration as a party organised to contest elections in part of the State or local elections only needs 100 recorded members aged 18 or over. At least half of your party’s recorded members must be on the Register of Electors.”