At 85 years old, he is still very aware of the evolution of politics, although he misses a little more education in debates.
28 feb 2023 . Updated at 05:00 h.
When Isabel Cedrón (Cervantes, 1938) decided to enter politics, she became a rara avis. He didn’t care. And he was in the fight until he withdrew. Today, at the age of 85, she is still well informed about what is happening and trying to help her party, the PP, as much as she can.
“How is your health?”
-Very good. I have a little back problem but, for the rest, fine.
Are you aware of what is happening in politics today?
—Yes, yes, but my head is crazy, because this politics of today is not the one I knew when I was young.
“What do you mean?”
—That I am aware of what politicians lie to us and want to make us see, but I don’t like how they say it. They should speak with a little more education.
—And Feijoo, how do you see it?
“Very good, and I hope you don’t pick up on other people’s vocabulary.” He governed us here and we were very happy, because he was an attentive, affable and close person.
—Will he become president of Spain?
—He can become president and I hope he does… but there are many parties behind him and maybe he doesn’t reach enough deputies. And it will be a shame.
—You were a pioneer in politics. Started out as a councillor.
—Yes, I was a councilor for 20 years in A Fonsagrada. I started at thirty-something. She was very happy. In plenary sessions we argued, but we were all acquaintances; In the council each one defended his position but later, many times, we went out together to have a drink because, when we went out, we were the usual people. There was a good coexistence.
His father was mayor.
—S, by Cervantes, for many years.
“It will encourage you to go into politics.”
“He died very young. I saw him working in politics and I saw what was done in the town hall. And she always likes what she sees.
“How did it start, then?”
“Because of the friends we had.” When democracy began and parties began to form, they came to talk to my husband and me. At first we were a bit surprised because we didn’t have much of an idea, but they insisted and we agreed. It was all very difficult. They called us all over the place, but we didn’t pay attention. I did everything I could for the town hall and I brought a lot of money to do things. The Diputación also helped me.
—You were a member of Alianza Popular.
—And before it was called that, it was the Democratic Coalition. I went around with Fraga when he was president, looking for people out there. Because at that time it was not so easy to sign people for this game.
“I’m sure it’s easier now.”
“Now it’s so easy! But at that time the situation was different. But I always found myself at ease and I had some extraordinary companions. And since she was the only woman, they pampered me more.
—Have you ever felt marginalized or neglected for being a woman?
-Never. On the contrary. I always had preference in everything. And in the Diputación she was the only woman.
—The Diputación de Cacharro Pardo, which commanded a lot.
—Cacharro was a great person, although they criticized him a lot. They said that he was very cacique. He was a friend of my husband since childhood. He was a very hardworking man and he knew the province inside out.
– For the opposition, he was the devil.
—Yes, because they can see how the province is progressing. Here, in A Fonsagrada, most of the roads were unpaved. When I stopped being a councilor they were all paved.
—How long did it take then to get from Lugo to A Fonsagrada?
—The first time I made that journey I thought I wouldn’t get there. The line car took an hour and a half. And it’s sixty kilometers. Now it doesn’t even take fifty minutes.
—What do you feel most proud of in your time as a politician?
-From high school. It was wonderful when it was made. And the medical center. Here, to study, it was very difficult. You had to go to Lugo or Asturias to do your baccalaureate… some families could, but others couldn’t. And with the institute here they could all study.
– Don’t you want to be mayoress?
-No. Always by few votes. But they were very controlled.
– Read the campaign. Will you participate?
—No, I help from home, ha ha.
—Do you think we are ready to have a female president from Galicia or Spain?
—There are women as competent as any man to govern, but there are many people who are not yet mentalized for a woman to preside over a Government. And that is where you have to work so that society becomes aware. They still view us with a bit of condescension.
– What does it qualify for?
—I’m not going to say any, because I still say one and the others make me angry, ha ha.
“Tell me, how do you spend the day?”
—Well, I get up when I feel like it, have breakfast and read the press, which takes me half an hour. I tidy up the room and make food for my daughter and my son-in-law. And then I go out if I feel like it or go to the hairdresser. On TV I watch the soap opera and the news. And at night I put on the radio. I also do crochet, some embroidery…
—Celta or Deportivo?
—I am from Real Madrid, so it puts me in trouble, but the Dpor. They don’t have much luck, but let’s see if they improve.
—How would you say that you are in a few words?
—I am a very normal woman; I like peace, tranquility and that everyone gets along.
“Tell me a song.”
—Some of Placido Domingo.
“The most important thing in life?”
—Conformity. Make do with what each one has. Live calm.