General Election 2024

[AustinPowers]

Anyone see the Mary Lou interview on Virgin last night?  I'm sceptical that these interviews/debates move the dial significantly (possible exception was Gerry Adams's performance - was that 2007?) and I only watched 20 mins or so, but she seemed pretty sure footed in the part I saw?

I realise it's a relatively short campaign, but is it all coming over a bit flat?

That won't win her  any votes.

She needs to take part in  a 50m sprint    or  put on her jiving shoes  and dance  with random punters

[armaghniac]

Anyone see the Mary Lou interview on Virgin last night?  I'm sceptical that these interviews/debates move the dial significantly (possible exception was Gerry Adams's performance - was that 2007?) and I only watched 20 mins or so, but she seemed pretty sure footed in the part I saw?

I realise it's a relatively short campaign, but is it all coming over a bit flat?

Mary-Lou is back in good form, having been ill earlier in year.
Her party's policies are dodgy in many cases though and SF have obviously given up on her becoming Taoiseach as some the policies are just pandering to particular elements, they are not something a party expecting to be in government would put forward e.g.  registering EU citizens, reducing property tax, reducing carbon tax, examining RTÉ coverage of Gaza!

[Rossfan]

The alternatives wouldn't inspire many to vote for them.

Well there's not much difference in the level of support between any of the top three parties, so perhaps none are "inspiring". Well, not unless you're the sort of person who is inspired by 13 years of abject failure to resolve a housing crisis (or if Eoghan Murphy is to be believed, 13 years of not wanting to solve it).

Why aren't 50% or more voting for the main opposition party then?

Think about how stupid the average person is.

Then remember half are even stupider than that.

You upset that 26 Co voters aren't flocking to the Shinners?

[weareros]

With the campaigning, Mary Lou is more comfortable interacting with the people (she has got the Bertie man of the plain people skills) and that's been her strength, Michael Martin is better at the cringe jig-acting 1980s Fianna Fail style, while Simon Harris is as awkward as hell with people, which is a requirement for a Fine Gael leader. All 3 have been poor with the media performance so far, and are getting outshine by Peadar Toibín. I actually think because all the nationalist parties have boycotted Nolan, but Toibín has been willing to face the biased interviewers in the North, his skills as a debater are top notch. Of course his extreme views in denying women's rights are not acceptable. It will be interesting to see if there's any opinion polls this weekend. Because Harris has been very poor, I think you'll see FF jumping into the lead and SF narrowing the gap. Then again, it's questionable how many are even tuning in so there may be no impact at all.

[seafoid]

On the radio almost everyone mentions rents, the cost of living, and housing lack of availability. This could mean a land for FF and FG. In other countries, the combination of inflation and housing led to the government losing ie the US,UK , France.

70% of people have a house, inflation has now declined and the electricity payments etc did take the sharp edge off increases in the past.

The rate of inflation has fallen but prices are 30%-50%  higher than before and won't fall. This could be a key weakness for FGFF.

Since the end of 2019 the CPI has gone up 19.6% and average wages have gone up 22.3%.
Of course there are always people below averages, but there are a similar number above them. There may be people experiencing a "cost of living crisis", but most people are much the same.

Food inflation is higher than general inflation. People who own a house may have kids who can't afford a house. Housing and the cost of living seem to be the biggest issues on RTE.

[Armagh18]

The alternatives wouldn't inspire many to vote for them.

Well there's not much difference in the level of support between any of the top three parties, so perhaps none are "inspiring". Well, not unless you're the sort of person who is inspired by 13 years of abject failure to resolve a housing crisis (or if Eoghan Murphy is to be believed, 13 years of not wanting to solve it).

Why aren't 50% or more voting for the main opposition party then?

Think about how stupid the average person is.

Then remember half are even stupider than that.

You upset that 26 Co voters aren't flocking to the Shinners?

Not too bothered about SF, but at least vote for someone other than the shower that have been in for the last 100 years. Preferably a party that is pro-UI as well.

[Rossfan]

Labour, SDP, Independent Ireland, Aontú, PBPetc, Fascist parties, Mötley Independents, Greens,  Shinners....

You can see why 45% are sticking with "FFG"

[JohnDenver]

Labour, SDP, Independent Ireland, Aontú, PBPetc, Fascist parties, Mötley Independents, Greens,  Shinners....

You can see why 45% are sticking with "FFG"

Stockholm syndrome?

[Pub Bore]

Labour, SDP, Independent Ireland, Aontú, PBPetc, Fascist parties, Mötley Independents, Greens,  Shinners....

You can see why 45% are sticking with "FFG"

Fair point...the supposed "change" parties/movements are spread too thin to change things.

[Snapchap]

You can see why 45% are sticking with "FFG"

Must be cos they solved the housing crisis that one of the other parties created while they were in government at some previous point.

[Rossfan]

Those damn voters and their democracy eh?

[Armagh18]

Labour, SDP, Independent Ireland, Aontú, PBPetc, Fascist parties, Mötley Independents, Greens,  Shinners....

You can see why 45% are sticking with "FFG"

Stockholm syndrome?

Pretty much. Might take another few years but change will happen.

[Snapchap]

Those damn voters and their democracy eh?

You trust FFG to solve the housing crisis yourself do you, Ross?

[Armagh18]

Those damn voters and their democracy eh?

See my previous reply about the stupidity of the average person

[seafoid]

Drivetime have just started with the cost of living