+1
This was a shot across the bow of FF. SF were never going to win this but by entering they are chipping away at FF and in the process de-sanitising their image...trying to make it not such a big deal to vote for them. Their top brass are certainly coming across a lot better in recent years, but you only have to delve an inch or two below the surface to see a clearer picture of who they are. Someone recently said they would not rule out a FF/SF alliance in the future and this could (unfortunately) be the case.
true, although I think they made a mistake in running McGuinnes. Had they run a young, "clean" untarnished candidate, with no history of being a paramilitary, they might had done better, especially with FF not in the race. One good thing about this campaign is that it perhaps reminded some of the younger voters of the history of SF so that is no bad thing
true, although I think they made a mistake in running McGuinnes. Had they run a young, "clean" untarnished candidate, with no history of being a paramilitary, they might had done better, especially with FF not in the race. One good thing about this campaign is that it perhaps reminded some of the younger voters of the history of SF so that is no bad thing
caoimhin o caolain - type candiate (A member of SF but not associated with the IRA).
I agree with that. SF increased there % of the vote compared to the GE, but because the turnout was lower I don't think there was any real difference in the actual numbers of voters.
Surely it is the percentage of vote they get that counts - not the nominal number of votes !!
The key figure is the number of people that put Martin McGuinness somewhere on their ballot paper. I know many people that were talking about voting for SF somewhere on their ballot "to make sure that such-and-such doesn't get in". For many people this will be the 1st time that they have ever selected a SF candidate even if many of those votes did not count/transfer.
This sets a precedence for the future. There will be less stigma around voting SF in the next election and the media are less likely to hound SF with the IRA/Murder/Criminality questions in the next GE because the public for the most part will be bored of it. Putting McGuinness forward was a master stroke which will reap rewards in future elections. Note: I do not support SF.
Surely it is the percentage of vote they get that counts - not the nominal number of votes !!
I don't think SF wanted MMG to get elected it was purely to increase "brand awareness"
Agreed. More brand awareness today - they walked out of the Dail over the Anglo bond repayment of €700m.
I have a sneaking suspicion they will be part of the next coalition government.
Agreed. More brand awareness today - they walked out of the Dail over the Anglo bond repayment of €700m.
I have a sneaking suspicion they will be part of the next coalition government.
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