If I was a backbench FF TD why should I vote for the budget?

RDM_83 again

Just thought of this after the greens announcement.

Whats the negatives for a slightly older FF TD voting against this budget, I can't see many myself,
Basically at a green party called election there is no chance of being returned, however if you and 2 or 3 others could say you brought down the government local support could be increased.
As a slightly older TD chances are you wouldn't be selected for what ever new FF that will appear unless there is some standout ability or fame, voting against the Budget would show a break from the Cowen/Ahern years and if part of a dynasty could be very beneficial for what ever heir you select.

In terms of the national interest argument it could be stated that, lenihan and cowen have shown there incompetence enough times already, with a general election in january how long is this budget valid for, by calling an election early allow a new goverment more time to deal with the complex issues. (none of these arguments are particularly valid as many FF td's are not overly concerned with the national interest)

lastly it would give the "treacherous" greens a kick in the teeth, (the vehement reaction to some of the Greens actions in the past always suprised me considering how loyal coalition partners they were).

Deise Tom

The question is a good one, and maybe now they have the right chance to show that they share the anger of the ordionary Joe Soap. It would also be a way of showing the policy makers and those responsible for advising the party, selecting canditates for local and national elections etc that what they are up to is not acceptable.

P. Breathnach

RDM_83 again wrote: »

... Whats the negatives for a slightly older FF TD voting against this budget, I can't see many myself...

Other than wrecking the rescue package being constructed for us, not many.

Laois_Man

It doesn't neccessarily have to be an older TD with no future in the party!
Whoever brings down the Government and therefore Cowen will automatically become a hero to the person who becomes the new FF leader and also a more credible front face for the part's front-bench in opposition in the new Dail.

All party front benches today are full of TDs and ministers who have shafted their own previous party leaders in the past!

jpb1974

Other than wrecking the rescue package being constructed for us, not many.

Sounds like you believe that they should simply agree for the sake of the rescue package irrespective of the budget's content.

In that case what's the point on them voting on the budget at all... it should simply just pass without any vote...

snubbleste

I think that FG want this budget to pass so they may abstain from voting, so it does'nt matter if FF backbenchers rebel on the vote

Deise Tom

snubbleste wrote: »

I think that FG want this budget to pass so they may abstain from voting, so it does'nt matter if FF backbenchers rebel on the vote

If they did, would not not show them to be spineless, not been able to make a decission one way or the other.

P. Breathnach

jpb1974 wrote: »

Sounds like you believe that they should simply agree for the sake of the rescue package irrespective of the budget's content....

Near enough, unless the budget is totally unreasonable. We have a small amount of wriggle room, and that's all.

snubbleste

Deise Tom wrote: »

If they did, would not not show them to be spineless, not been able to make a decission one way or the other.

No, it would just show that they are prudent with respect to the electorate and then claim in future that they did not vote for the evil budget that cuts a few euro of your pension

ILA

Fine Gael don't want responsibility for this Budget. Their strategy is to nail Fianna Fail's coffin, and there's no better way to do that than letting them pass their blood Budget.

The fact is though that in reality, Labour and Fine Gael have signed up to consensus on the level of cuts. It makes no difference where they get them from, as it's still going to have the same affect and the same areas will have to be targeted, just to slightly different degrees.

steelcityblues

I actually hope those FF TDs who will now position themselves as 'dissenters' in coming days actually take the biggest hit in the General Election in now probably January.

One thing worse than an FFer is one who tries to convince the electorate he/she is something different!