26 counties poll for local elections.

[AZOffaly]

I know local elections are a lot harder to get a national view on, but I'd be interested to see how people are planning to vote in the Republic on Friday. I'm predicting a lot of Sinn Fein councillors elected, a bit of a bounce back for Fianna Fail, a lot of independents, a slight fall for Fine Gael, and a kicking for Labour.

[Hardy]

I think you could also have predicted a landslide for SF in this poll.

(I haven't voted.)

[AZOffaly]

I think you could also have predicted a landslide for SF in this poll.

(I haven't voted.)

I'm hoping the 6 counties POWs won't vote in this.

[Rossfan]

They are !!!
Sure didn't the GAA board elect Máirtín McG as President in a landslide.

[AZOffaly]

I think Sinn Fein will get big gains in the republic anyway, but it's a pity the lads in the wee 6 can't just let something like this play out. It might actually enlighten them as to the growth in Sinn Fein down south a bit too.

[Lar Naparka]

I haven't made my mind up yet but it's a toss up between Sean Haughey (FF) and
the local Shinner candidate.
I wouldn't vote FF at a general election but here it's down to local issues and Haughey has a good track record here. I expect SF to top the poll in my area anyway.
Mary Lou is a big hit with a surprisingly large number of the locals and I think that, if SF comes up with a credible manifesto for the next GF and its policies stand up to scrutiny, they will upset the status quo in a big way.

[AZOffaly]

I agree Lar. Council Elections are probably as close to real day to day politics as you can get, and there's a much higher chance that a 'good worker'/'stroke puller' can get something done which benefits you or your area. For that reason my #1,#2 and #3 will be the local Labour Candidate, Fianna Fail and an Independent. In that order.

For the Euro Elections, I'm probably going to go #1 for Sinn Fein, as I think their brand of 'f**k yis' would be a refreshing challenge in the European Parliment if they can align themselves with others of a similar view. I wouldn't like Sinn Fein policies implemented as a whole, especially economically, but I think they would be a good counter balance to the corporate mandarins doing everything they want as well.

[magpie seanie]

I know local elections are a lot harder to get a national view on, but I'd be interested to see how people are planning to vote in the Republic on Friday. I'm predicting a lot of Sinn Fein councillors elected, a bit of a bounce back for Fianna Fail, a lot of independents, a slight fall for Fine Gael, and a kicking for Labour.

Don't see FF making any recovery. SF and Independent candidates will do very well as they appear to actually give a f**k about the minions who vote for them in the bit of time between polling days.

[Eamonnca1]

Bit of an unwieldy thread title. Could you not have just said "Free State poll for local elections"?

[Syferus]

I haven't made my mind up yet but it's a toss up between Sean Haughey (FF) and
the local Shinner candidate.
I wouldn't vote FF at a general election but here it's down to local issues and Haughey has a good track record here. I expect SF to top the poll in my area anyway.
Mary Lou is a big hit with a surprisingly large number of the locals and I think that, if SF comes up with a credible manifesto for the next GF and its policies stand up to scrutiny, they will upset the status quo in a big way.

SF won't upset anything as long as Adams and McGuiness are hanging around.

[Nally Stand]

I haven't made my mind up yet but it's a toss up between Sean Haughey (FF) and
the local Shinner candidate.
I wouldn't vote FF at a general election but here it's down to local issues and Haughey has a good track record here. I expect SF to top the poll in my area anyway.
Mary Lou is a big hit with a surprisingly large number of the locals and I think that, if SF comes up with a credible manifesto for the next GF and its policies stand up to scrutiny, they will upset the status quo in a big way.

SF won't upset anything as long as Adams and McGuiness are hanging around.

I think the longer they hang around, it's the numpties in RTE/Sindo etc that they're upsetting more than anyone (and those people who have to be told what to think by said organisations), so they must be doing something right. SF's support continues to soar under their leadership. Long may they continue 

[Farrandeelin]

I'll be voting for a local independent in my area as no 1. Then maybe transfer to a FF because he's a good worker for the area. I haven't a notion who will end up topping the poll in this area because it's just such a large area and there are a number of factors to be included. We asked a candidate who is standing for election as to what first preference will be needed and it's around 1,200. It looks small, but there are 17 candidates running.

[Syferus]

I haven't made my mind up yet but it's a toss up between Sean Haughey (FF) and
the local Shinner candidate.
I wouldn't vote FF at a general election but here it's down to local issues and Haughey has a good track record here. I expect SF to top the poll in my area anyway.
Mary Lou is a big hit with a surprisingly large number of the locals and I think that, if SF comes up with a credible manifesto for the next GF and its policies stand up to scrutiny, they will upset the status quo in a big way.

SF won't upset anything as long as Adams and McGuiness are hanging around.

I think the longer they hang around, it's the numpties in RTE/Sindo etc that they're upsetting more than anyone (and those people who have to be told what to think by said organisations), so they must be doing something right. SF's support continues to soar under their leadership. Long may they continue 

I doubt it's soaring because of a lad half the electorate believe was involved in a murder. SF need to cut the ties with the top two ASAP if it has serious intentions of being more than hurlers on the ditch in the south.

[Nally Stand]

I haven't made my mind up yet but it's a toss up between Sean Haughey (FF) and
the local Shinner candidate.
I wouldn't vote FF at a general election but here it's down to local issues and Haughey has a good track record here. I expect SF to top the poll in my area anyway.
Mary Lou is a big hit with a surprisingly large number of the locals and I think that, if SF comes up with a credible manifesto for the next GF and its policies stand up to scrutiny, they will upset the status quo in a big way.

SF won't upset anything as long as Adams and McGuiness are hanging around.

I think the longer they hang around, it's the numpties in RTE/Sindo etc that they're upsetting more than anyone (and those people who have to be told what to think by said organisations), so they must be doing something right. SF's support continues to soar under their leadership. Long may they continue 

I doubt it's soaring because of lad half the electorate believe was involved in a murder. SF need to cut the ties with the top too ASAP if it has serious intentions of being more than hurlers on the ditch in the south.

Not soaring? Look at the level of their support in the past ten or twenty years. It's a story of continuous growth. Half the population believe he was involved in a murder? That says more about how easily led they are than anything else. I wonder how many of those who believe this are as quick to accept Brendan Hughes' other claim that Jean McConville was killed for being an informer? I suspect it doesn't fit the narrative for them. In the meantime, Adams was questioned for four days and released without charge and SF's growth under his leadership continues unabated 

To repost a quote from  Jude Collins article recently:

"Finally,  a short Catechism q and a to see if you have a firm grasp on this matter:

Q: Who killed Jean McConville?

A: Gerry Adams

Q: Why did he kill her?

A: Because she put a coat under the head of a dying soldier.

Q: Has her body ever been recovered?

A: No.

Q: Why does Gerry Adams say he wasn't in the IRA?

A: Because he likes telling lies.

Q: Some people claim that Jean McConville was an informer. Do you believe that?

A: I most certainly do not.

Q: Why do you say that?

A: The papers hardly ever mention it.

Q:OK, pick up you BT Certificate of Merit on the way out."

[Syferus]

I haven't made my mind up yet but it's a toss up between Sean Haughey (FF) and
the local Shinner candidate.
I wouldn't vote FF at a general election but here it's down to local issues and Haughey has a good track record here. I expect SF to top the poll in my area anyway.
Mary Lou is a big hit with a surprisingly large number of the locals and I think that, if SF comes up with a credible manifesto for the next GF and its policies stand up to scrutiny, they will upset the status quo in a big way.

SF won't upset anything as long as Adams and McGuiness are hanging around.

I think the longer they hang around, it's the numpties in RTE/Sindo etc that they're upsetting more than anyone (and those people who have to be told what to think by said organisations), so they must be doing something right. SF's support continues to soar under their leadership. Long may they continue 

I doubt it's soaring because of lad half the electorate believe was involved in a murder. SF need to cut the ties with the top too ASAP if it has serious intentions of being more than hurlers on the ditch in the south.

Not soaring? Look at the level of their support in the past ten or twenty years. It's a story of continuous growth. Half the population believe he was involved in a murder? That says more about how easily led they are than anything else. I wonder how many of those who believe this are as quick to accept Brendan Hughes' other claim that Jean McConville was killed for being an informer? I suspect it doesn't fit the narrative for them. In the meantime, Adams was questioned for four days and released without charge and SF's growth under his leadership continues unabated 

To repost a quote from  Jude Collins article recently:

"Finally,  a short Catechism q and a to see if you have a firm grasp on this matter:

Q: Who killed Jean McConville?

A: Gerry Adams

Q: Why did he kill her?

A: Because she put a coat under the head of a dying soldier.

Q: Has her body ever been recovered?

A: No.

Q: Why does Gerry Adams say he wasn't in the IRA?

A: Because he likes telling lies.

Q: Some people claim that Jean McConville was an informer. Do you believe that?

A: I most certainly do not.

Q: Why do you say that?

A: The papers hardly ever mention it.

Q:OK, pick up you BT Certificate of Merit on the way out."

Where did I say SF weren't doing well in poling? They obviously are. Simple fact whatever the truth about the McConnvile murder or Gerry's IRA links the electorate have already mainly made up their opinions on both and it's not in a favourable light for Adams.

Until Adams (and to a somewhat lesser extent, McGuiness) retire or are retired SF will remain toxic to transfers in the south and none of the other main parties will do business with them. FF and FG would sooner be in coalition with each other than have SF involved.

The reality is nothing would actually put an end to SF's momentum in the south faster than actually having to govern, but eventually they have to make themselves palatable to the rest of Ireland and enter a government if they have any real ambition. They are the definition of a marmite party at the moment.