The official Politics board general election poll-Which government do you want?

Vote away.
This is a once off and stickied.

ballooba

Can we make the votes public?

Would stop people voting early and often.

The_Minister

Wasn't there trouble before with people re-regg'n to vote more then once?
(Not that it matters, Boards is a very small portion of society)

gandalf

Well the rule on the Politics forum is any duplicate accounts will result in perm bans if discovered.

The_Minister

The_Minister wrote:

Wasn't there trouble before with people re-regg'n to vote more then once?
(Not that it matters, Boards is a very small portion of society)

There was.

We might consider another public one later and close this one,then again we might not.

We'll see how it goes.

Polls are special occasion threads here only as the emphasis is always on discussion here as ye know.

Feel free to explain your positions in this thread as usual.

Elmo

Just like the media we have forgotten that there is a possiblity that we will have a FF + Green government.

It's time north county dublin had a Tanaiste.

That in reference to the PD candiate who thinks he has a chance of getting a ministerial post, some how I cann't see that happening even if we have a FF/PD government.

Also the Socalist party would like the following combination: -

LP/SF/GP/SP/INDO

A government with out FF and FG, now if only they can get the PDs to sign up

Who put FF/GP after AJ? I mean come on people.

Added the FF+Green option there now as unlikely a marriage as it seems-though you never know...

DMC

FF, PD's and Independents is a likely scenario too... its was the government of the 28th Dail from 1997-2002.

Elmo

Blah blah should read post
I don't see why FF + Greens are unlikely.

gandalf

Thanks DMC added that option.

Elmo

Thanks DMC added that option.

LP/SF/GP/SP/INDO what about that is that not an option

lol

gandalf

As stated in the title, if choosing other please elaborate what the issue is.

The_Minister

Elmo wrote:

LP/SF/GP/SP/INDO

I would really fear for the economy under that government. The scary thing is, it might be possible.

Múinteoir

Elmo wrote:

I don't see why FF + Greens are unlikely.

The fact that Trevor Sargent has said on more than one occasion, that he would resign as leader rather than let it happen, was a bit of a hint.

The_Minister

M&#250 wrote: »

The fact that Trevor Sargent has said on more than one occasion, that he would resign as leader rather than let it happen, was a bit of a hint.

His position on that is completely mickey-mouse. He has said that he won't be leader, but he will take a senior ministry in such a government.

nesf

M&#250 wrote: »

The fact that Trevor Sargent has said on more than one occasion, that he would resign as leader rather than let it happen, was a bit of a hint.

I thought he said that if the two parties did go into Government together that he'd stand down as leader? I don't remember him saying that he'd not allow it to happen though. I think if it came down to it the Greens would take power through almost any route that presented itself.

JerkyBoy

Can you add "political corruption" or "trust in leadership" as one of the options?

I'm sure a lot of people have been influenced in just the last few days on those very issues.

gandalf

Option added

McSandwich

Responsible spending of public funds, i.e. stop wasting money on hair brained ideas and pointless pet projects. Also, related to this point, efficient management of all public services (especially Health and Education).

ballooba

McSandwich wrote:

Responsible spending of public funds, i.e. stop wasting money on hair brained ideas and pointless pet projects. Also, related to this point, efficient management of all public services (especially Health and Education).

What he/she said.

brianthebard

Education, personally very important but I also think a lot can be done to improve the system as a whole, from primary school up. Really wish religion had been removed from the curriculum as opposed to made an exam subject! Don't see that changing with FG though.

Agent Smith

Is it not an Optinoal subject?

surely if you object so much, you could just not do the exam

McSandwich

What's Atari jaguar all about?

Zaph

Atari Jaguar

The_Minister

You forgot the most important issue of all: The Economy.
Without it, we have no jobs, no money for public services, no safety.

Jonny Arson

The_Minister wrote:

You forgot the most important issue of all: The Economy.
Without it, we have no jobs, no money for public services, no safety.

Without public services like Healthcare, Education, Policing and Infrastructure we would be all half as intelligent, riddled with diseases and dying, getting murdered while people get away with it and not being able to move to place to place. Do you think an economy could function under these conditions? An Economy cannot function or survive with out any of these essential publically funded services so we know what really should be our priorities.

Healthcare number one for me. They manner in which we treat and care for our sick and dying represents us as a society, the non existent declining health service we have is damning indictment upon our society and government.

Time Magazine

I simply don't see FF + Greens having the seats.

Greens haul about 10 needing FF to get 74 seats. They're on 79. They will lose far more than 5 seats and everyone accepts that.

I voted FG+Lab+Green because I think it's the best viable alternative coalition. I don't see FG+Lab getting enough votes, and I think the Greens would be more applicable suit the coalition and the country better than the PDs. (And they'd also have more votes).

nesf

Jonny Arson wrote:

Without public services like Healthcare, Education, Policing and Infrastructure we would be all half as intelligent, riddled with diseases and dying, getting murdered while people get away with it and not being able to move to place to place. Do you think an economy could function under these conditions? An Economy cannot function or survive with out any of these essential publically funded services so we know what really should be our priorities.

There is a valid school of thought of which I'd subscribe to that would hold that the health of the economy is what must be maintained while attempting to improve public services. Versus the school of thought that we should improve services as a priority and hold the general health of the economy as secondary.


Personally, I hold the first simply because without a strong economy you can't sustainably improve the public services. Unless you want to run a large budget deficit each term which is simply not a good idea in my book.


So could you please add the option for the economy in general to the poll. (Actually you've no more slots available I think)

simu

The environment - everything depends upon that ultimately. We need to develop the country in a sustainable manner and sooner rather than later. (Don't assume I'm voting Green though - not sure about them at all )

I'm not too worried about health and education because, despite all the problems in these areas, Irish people living today are healthier and better-educated than at any other time.

McSandwich

simu wrote:

The environment - everything depends upon that ultimately. We need to develop the country in a sustainable manner and sooner rather than later. (Don't assume I'm voting Green though - not sure about them at all )

I'm not too worried about health and education because, despite all the problems in these areas, Irish people living today are healthier and better-educated than at any other time.

I agree with you about the environment but you obviously haven't been to an A+E recently or tried to get one of your kids into a primary school

is_that_so

I am with Bertie on this. "The Next Steps" for FF are becoming the opposition . It really is time for a change, so it's the rainbow for me. It might even do FF some good.

nesf

nesf wrote:

I think if it came down to it the Greens would take power through almost any route that presented itself.

Which party wouldn't do that?

Drift

Looking at the results so far I see that the FG+Lab+Green is in poll position (pun intended!!).

I wonder is this influenced heavily, partially or not at all by the age demographic on the boards. I think its widely accepted that the Greens (and to a lesser degree labour) will draw a more significant percentage of their vote from younger voters. Similarly from previous threads on these boards it appears the the average board user's age would be lower than the average voter's age.

Anyway I just thought the whole age demographic of this poll might be an interesting topic for further discussion .......

gandalf

Drift yes it is influenced by the age demographic here. We would be light on people from older age brackets who would be more entrenched in their voting patterns. If you took this poll as gospel truth then the current Government would be in for a total collapse, something I think we all agree is definately not going to happen.

nesf

gandalf wrote:

Drift yes it is influenced by the age demographic here. We would be light on people from older age brackets who would be more entrenched in their voting patterns. If you took this poll as gospel truth then the current Government would be in for a total collapse, something I think we all agree is definately not going to happen.

Boards definitely has a certain demographic separate to the populace as a whole. Also those who'd actually come into this forum are a subset of the the people on boards I think.

Drift

nesf wrote:

Boards definitely has a certain demographic separate to the populace as a whole. Also those who'd actually come into this forum are a subset of the the people on boards I think.

My guess would be that the subset who come into this forum would have an average age slight older than the overall boards average - but thats only a guess. I wonder could we start a poll of people's ages contirbuting to this forum. It could be an interesting side issue - its definitely something the parties will be considering. (Already have considered in fixing the election for a Thursday no doubt!)

PH01

The_Minister wrote:

You forgot the most important issue of all: The Economy.

I second the call for 'The Economy' to be added to the poll.
It's my biggest concern and I would have selected it if it was in the poll.
Thanks.
p.

Vegeta

sporting firearms legislation, especially the proposed license fee increase

brianthebard

agent smith wrote:

Is it not an Optinoal subject?

surely if you object so much, you could just not do the exam

I don't know. Anyways I'm in university it doesn't affect my exams, I just think its a bad idea to teach religion in school.

gandalf

Apologies how could I have missed the economy, tis added now.

Obviously if you voted for something else and it should have been economy pm me and I will adjust accordingly.

gandalf

gandalf wrote:

Apologies how could I have missed the economy, tis added now.

Obviously if you voted for something else and it should have been economy pm me and I will adjust accordingly.

LoL you forgot stamp duty aswell

gandalf

That can be counted as Other, because I think its overhyped by the media and remember I am trying to sell a place at the moment as well !!

Elmo

I am was just thinking about the PD's attack on the Greens surely this doesn't make political sence.

What if a FF/PD government need the help of another smaller party to form the next government. The Greens are the only other smaller party that haven't rule out the PD's.

Not a good idea. IMO

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

My guess would be that the subset who come into this forum would have an average age slight older than the overall boards average - but thats only a guess. I wonder could we start a poll of people's ages contirbuting to this forum. It could be an interesting side issue - its definitely something the parties will be considering. (Already have considered in fixing the election for a Thursday no doubt!)

Thats very ageist, you will find that at the end of the day it is the people who go out to vote who will decided, and your vote has nothing to do with age, race, religion, class or any other group. It's is called democracy.

And I assume that most of the people who have voted on this poll are going to be going out to vote on May 24th.

Drift

Please don't get me wrong I'm not trying to be offensive to anyone. I believe its not just an entitlement but a duty of everyone of voting age to exercise their right to vote. I'm just commenting that the poll on this site is probably weighted more towards the opinions of younger voters because of the fact that there's more younger people on the boards than those of our parents age (I'm 24 myself).

But I'm also pointing out that age is one of the major demographical factors that electioneers examine. Although FF won't admit it - the less younger people that vote the better for their chances of being in the next government. Similarly the Greens would be delighted to see a high turnout of younger voters.

I remember seeing an interview with a famous person (I think it may have been Keanu Reeves but I can't find it on google) regarding the Vote or Die campaign in the states a few years back. The interviewee said that they deliberately didn't put their name to the vote or die campaign because they felt there was a vested interest in that more younger voters would undoubtedly help Kerry's campaign more than Bush's. It draws interesting similarities to the current "Rock the vote" campaign in Ireland.

I'm not trying to be ageist at all. I'm a young person, I will vote and I believe its the moral duty of everyone of voting age to vot. Having said that there would definitely be an advantage to some parties if young voter turnout was low and I thought it may be an interesting topic for discussion here because in general boards.ie would have a higher percentage of younger people/voters than the discussions one may see on Prime time or the like.

Elmo

Even the title of Rock the Vote is kind of bias, but bias towards whom?

A high turn out of young voters could mean disaster for both larger parties.

nesf

Elmo wrote:

I am was just thinking about the PD's attack on the Greens surely this doesn't make political sence.

They, as far as I remember, pretty much share the same voter base in Dublin for the most part. The PDs and Greens are fighting each other for the same votes essentially.

redspider

> It might even do FF some good.

I think we are at a stage where FF have been in too long and a 3rd term and a 15 years stint in total would certainly be far too long. I even think Bertie in his heart of hearts is tired and would prefer a rest. Maybe long term we should put a limit in the length of time that a Taoiseach can govern, ie: for only 2 terms (10 years max). If anything, this may have favoured FF as a leader contest after the Dail was dissolved would at least give the people a new choice, and not a tired one. A Cowen-led FF may do better, or maybe not.

nesf wrote:

Boards definitely has a certain demographic separate to the populace as a whole.

It certainly does. I think from a psephological point of view it would be interesting if at least 1000 people were polled on here, and then re-polled to see how they voted in the last election, if they can remember, (I know I would have to think about where my STV actually ended up on count whatever it was), and then see which way they are changing coming up to the election date, normalising of course to match the general population. Even then, you would have inaccuracies of +/- 3%, and when there are many 'little' parties, such as GP, SF, PD's, etc, where that margin of error can make a huge huge difference in terms of seats.

Also, the national election is in fact 43x mini-constituency elections, each with its own vagaries and there are huge differences across the country with some areas being very FF, some FG, etc, and many areas wont have any from Lab or GP at all.

redspider

nesf

redspider wrote:

Also, the national election is in fact 43x mini-constituency elections, each with its own vagaries and there are huge differences across the country with some areas being very FF, some FG, etc, and many areas wont have any from Lab or GP at all.

Very true, I couldn't vote for the PDs even if I wanted to for example. In my old constituency my choices were even more limited though there's a Green running out of Bandon this year which confuses me. I thought you had to be resident in a constituency to stand for election there?

PH01

Tristrame wrote:

LoL you forgot stamp duty aswell

Stamp Duty is a tax isn't it?

Elmo

In my old constituency my choices were even more limited though there's a Green running out of Bandon this year which confuses me.

The green party has candidates across all 43 constituency's, and a 44th candidate in Dublin North.

They, as far as I remember, pretty much share the same voter base in Dublin for the most part. The PDs and Greens are fighting each other for the same votes essentially.

I cann't see people who vote for the Green party being anything like the people voting for the PDs. Surely the PDs have a more FG type voter.

ballooba

Would the result have been different three to six months ago?

I think it would, the shift is on.