The Official 2016 Irish General Election thread

[seafoid]

The Rte site is super. The drop in votes of the government parties was split between all the opposition rather than going in the main to FF. It is a big change for the political system.

[deiseach]

The reason Dublin Central's votes are so low is to do with the demographics, the constituencies are determined by the population irrespective of eligibility to vote. Because the inner city has a large non-national population its numbers are sufficient for three seats, but the electorate is a lot smaller and the turnout is one of the lowest in the country to boot, it's an unique case amongst the 40 constituencies.

That's the second time in the last week that you've posted something that sated the political junkie in me. Maith an fear.

[armaghniac]

The reason Dublin Central's votes are so low is to do with the demographics, the constituencies are determined by the population irrespective of eligibility to vote. Because the inner city has a large non-national population its numbers are sufficient for three seats, but the electorate is a lot smaller and the turnout is one of the lowest in the country to boot, it's an unique case amongst the 40 constituencies.

Indeed that thought occurred to me, that the constituencies should be based on the number of Irish citizens, otherwise you get this type of variation.

The Rte site is super. The drop in votes of the government parties was split between all the opposition rather than going in the main to FF. It is a big change for the political system.

RTÉ give good service at elections, whatever their limitations in some other respects.

[Croí na hÉireann]

Looks like the Slashers have finally realised that they would be better off if Westmeath were just left in charge to make all the decisions. Lads, will ye have a word in the ear of the South Roscommon folk when ye get a minute.

[seafoid]

FG actually got a decent vote. 50 something seats would usually be considered great for them. The Labour vote collapsed. And the Shinners are still toxic. That is why the results are a mess.

[muppet]

FG actually got a decent vote. 50 something seats would usually be considered great for them. The Labour vote collapsed. And the Shinners are still toxic. That is why the results are a mess.

If you look at the breakdown of the vote between right and left, the left only got about 30%.

Worse than that, when the public turned on the FG/Labour Government, they returned (incredibly) to FF rather than any of the alternatives.

I hope Adams doesn't resign, as he is a millstone for his party, but if SF have any real ambition in politics they should launch him.

Burton will have to go as will Kenny, but I suspect Adams will cling on for dear life.

[Canalman]

Plenty of squirming for FF and FG for the next few weeks. The voters won't appreciate being asked to vote again as well FF and FG both know.

SF did extremely average imo in the election but would expect them to have smiles as wide as cheshire cats here. They can detach themselves from the impasse easily.

Have a hunch that this like the election in 2007 was the one to lose. Just a hunch mind. Serious storm clouds forming in the world economy.

You wouldn't be upright long if you were to play a drinking game where you had to have a shot everytime someone says "Civil War politics" over the next few weeks.

[weareros]

Plenty of squirming for FF and FG for the next few weeks. The voters won't appreciate being asked to vote again as well FF and FG both know.

SF did extremely average imo in the election but would expect them to have smiles as wide as cheshire cats here. They can detach themselves from the impasse easily.

I don't think they will get off that lightly by taking the easy option in opposition. FF, SF, AAA and  a long line of independents all said they would get rid of Irish water among many other things in common. So will they not have the balls to all form a government now and do what they promised the people? If not, the narrative will quickly play out that on the 100th year anniversary of 1916, the people voted an absolute bunch of cowards to the Dail, more intent on doing what's best for their party than the country.

[armaghniac]

Plenty of squirming for FF and FG for the next few weeks. The voters won't appreciate being asked to vote again as well FF and FG both know.

SF did extremely average imo in the election but would expect them to have smiles as wide as cheshire cats here. They can detach themselves from the impasse easily.

I don't think they will get off that lightly by taking the easy option in opposition. FF, SF, AAA and  a long line of independents all said they would get rid of Irish water among many other things in common. So will they not have the balls to all form a government now and do what they promised the people? If not, the narrative will quickly play out that on the 100th year anniversary of 1916, the people voted an absolute bunch of cowards to the Dail, more intent on doing what's best for their party than the country.

They prefer to be hurlers on the ditch, griping about homelessness, queues in health etc while carefullly avoiding actually doing anything to solve these problems.
Someone on Boards.ie described the AAA and SF as like a dog that chases after a car, and when the car stops and they catch up they then wait for the car drive off agan so that they can chase after it yapping.

[Jim_Murphy_74]

FG actually got a decent vote. 50 something seats would usually be considered great for them. The Labour vote collapsed. And the Shinners are still toxic. That is why the results are a mess.

FG are returning to their normal level.  They had a boost last time round because people were annoyed with FF.  I think a lot of those returned to FF rather than going to the newer parties.  Still FF worst result apart from 2011.

Labour got a wallop (mostly from badly managed perception..).

There is also a definitive rise of independents but is it a cohesive "left"? I am not sure. 

Within Independents there are some mainstream types (Naughten, Lowry, Healy-Reas, Ross and Social Democrats) and single issue types (Fitzmaurice, Harty).  There are the cranks (Coppinger, Daly, Wallace).

To be honest I feel that given the implosion of incumbent government in this election the "left" have not necessarily done as well as they could have.

Seat-wise Shinners didn't do that well.  Little new ground but well organised in key areas.  Still a chance in LD-WH, Offaly breakthrough were bad.  May work out well for them, if they end up a big fish in oppostion.

At end of the day, the big three took a whack but still represented the majority of people in the state.

/Jim.

[Rossfan]

Excellent comparison Armaghniac
Meanwhile if the 2 big boys won't play together it's hard to see any one of them cobbling 80 votes together to get a Government.
FG/Rump of Labour/ Green/20 Indos...........

[seafoid]

Most of the Indies are either left wing (the 2 Tipp lads, Wallace,  Connolly, O Sullivan, Zappone, Daly) or anti corruption right wing (Ross and co). FG and FF stand for the same ould shite.

[AZOffaly]

Most of the Indies are either left wing (the 2 Tipp lads, Wallace,  Connolly, O Sullivan, Zappone, Daly) or anti corruption right wing (Ross and co). FG and FF stand for the same ould shite.

What left wing? Mattie McGrath left wing? Seamus Healy maybe, but Mattie is FF gene pool. Lowry is obviously not. Not sure Mick Wallace would be a socialist really.

FF and FG 'stand for' what most people in this country stand for I'd imagine. Slightly right of centre financially, slightly left of centre socially.

[armaghniac]

Most of the Indies are either left wing (the 2 Tipp lads, Wallace,  Connolly, O Sullivan, Zappone, Daly) or anti corruption right wing (Ross and co). FG and FF stand for the same ould shite.

Well at least one Tipp independent is right wing pro corruption.

[mikehunt]

Plenty of squirming for FF and FG for the next few weeks. The voters won't appreciate being asked to vote again as well FF and FG both know.

SF did extremely average imo in the election but would expect them to have smiles as wide as cheshire cats here. They can detach themselves from the impasse easily.

I don't think they will get off that lightly by taking the easy option in opposition. FF, SF, AAA and  a long line of independents all said they would get rid of Irish water among many other things in common. So will they not have the balls to all form a government now and do what they promised the people? If not, the narrative will quickly play out that on the 100th year anniversary of 1916, the people voted an absolute bunch of cowards to the Dail, more intent on doing what's best for their party than the country.

They prefer to be hurlers on the ditch, griping about homelessness, queues in health etc while carefullly avoiding actually doing anything to solve these problems.
Someone on Boards.ie described the AAA and SF as like a dog that chases after a car, and when the car stops and they catch up they then wait for the car drive off agan so that they can chase after it yapping.

What would you have them do from the opposition benches? Plenty of ideas have been put forward but ignored by FG. Sneering the opposition has been common place in the last Dail aided by the Clown Comhairle.  Enda doesn't agree with the electorate but respects their right to be wrong. FG's ego has been massively deflated, no surprise they never get re-elected but doubt they'll learn.