People are still voting for Fianna Fail, in numbers

I.S.T.

What is wrong with people in this country, look at this chart from the RTE News site. Fianna Fail have come second ahead of FG and Lab in the Donegal by-election. Have people learnt nothing at all???

scientific1982

Too many old people voting and not enough young people.

DarkJager

scientific1982 wrote: »

Too many old people voting and not enough young people.

Thats true. Stupid old people at that. Not to worry anyway, a few more years and most of them will be gone. Then FF will never get a vote again.

keano_afc

I think its a fairly bad indictment of what people think about the standard of opposition too. Fine Gael/Labour should be romping home.

Mark200

Fine Gael should be embarrassed that they haven't been able to make a better political gain recently.

As well as that, it is Donegal....

General Zod

actually, Donegal is a heartland of FF voting, for them only to pull 21% of the vote could be translated to 15% nationwide.

It's going to be very very interesting in the GE.

who what when

Sinn Fein first place.
Fianna Fail Second place.
The donegal electorate should hang their heads in shame!

Snakeblood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjPFffN5JF4

Kimono-Girl

keano_afc wrote: »

I think its a fairly bad indictment of what people think about the standard of opposition too. Fine Gael/Labour should be romping home.

+1


i think its more to do with who we have in opposition to Fianna Fail then voting for them because they want to!

lesser of evils and all that,

what Ireland needs imo is a new proper political rival party to come up because FG and Labour just will not be voted for by this country,thus leaving FF to clean up as evidenced by the poll above!

Pace2008

I can only assume (and hope) that SF's popularity would dwindle dramatically the further south you go.

Sinn Féin and Fianna Fail. Sweet holy ****.

TeddyTedson

Donegal is a big republican part of the country.
But even still, this is surprising. Fianna Fail is full of creeps.

JoseJones

People usually vote for who they see doing things in the local community, maybe the FF politicians in Donegal are very good! Or maybe they are just stupid and old :pac:.

dlofnep

Fair play to Pearse Doherty! Absolute legend and the only competent candidate that was in the race at all. (Although yer man Pringle wasn't too bad either). McBrearty never knew when to shut up, that Fine Gael lad was as forgetful as a rainy day, and the Fianna Fáil guy clearly didn't have a hope being attached to his party.

bladespin

55%(ish) turnout, what do you imaginr the turnout for the next general election will be like?

Also, is it any wonder the people there are politically disenfranchised? Surely sitting in the wilderness has led them to believe it won't matter much either way.

General Zod

Pace2008 wrote: »

I can only assume (and hope) that SF's popularity would dwindle dramatically the further south you go.

Sinn Féin and Fianna Fail. Sweet holy ****.

Have you even considered it's possible that the Sinn Fein vote is down to the peoples confidence in the ability of the candidate to do the job of representing them?

Donegal is a FF stronghold, and the way it's going with The Drink Driving Doctor pulling out of the North East it's going to be hard for FF to get a seat in any of the wards.

Mits

For some people it is habit and loyalty for other they don't see a credible alternative.

hinault

General Zod wrote: »

actually, Donegal is a heartland of FF voting, for them only to pull 21% of the vote could be translated to 15% nationwide.

It's going to be very very interesting in the GE.

I heard FF vote was down by over 50% in that constituency since 2007.

That constituency is loyal FF territory.

Hopefully this implosion will be mirrored across entire country in the GE.

baldbear

Well it's not that surprising. Donegal has always been a FF strong hold and there support has dropped by 30% which is quite big. FG's failure is bad news for Kenny.

At the end of the day Irish voters are eejits, Cowen will top the poll in Offaly.

humberklog

Ah... Donegal's a bit weird.

tonycascarino

20% is not a good result at all for Fianna Fáil in Donegal.

seamus

SF were already insanely strong in Donegal.

It's more important to look at first preference votes:

FF have taken a hammering - a 29% drop in confidence in Donegal.

There are a couple of factors working in Pearse Doherty's favour:
1. He got the by-election called
2. He's Sinn Féin
3. He is the only candidate returning for election from 2007. Nobody else on the ballot stood in 2007.

Interesting that FG took a fall in this one. Clearly SF and Lab are the two favoured parties at this stage.

If you work out the changes and apply them to the current Dail, the share of seating in the next Dail looks like this:

Party|Seats|%
FF|33|19.73
FG|41|24.58
SF|7|4.51
Lab|73|44.10
G|0|0
Ind|12|7.28

Probably a decent bit off - Labour are probably too high and FG too low.

But interesting times ahead...

Gunsfortoys

I cannot believe the opposition failed to garner any sort of support on this. They aren't exactly coming out with any credible alternatives either. SF seem to be out in force.

PrincessLola

Sinn fein and fianna fail are the two worst possible parties imaginable. Seriously, what is wrong with Donegal?

dlofnep

PrincessLola wrote: »

Sinn fein and fianna fail are the two worst possible parties imaginable. Seriously, what is wrong with Donegal?

Donegal has sense, and elected a candidate that was articulate, knew his politics and wasn't a pompous arsehole.

Luxie

bladespin wrote: »

55%(ish) turnout, what do you imaginr the turnout for the next general election will be like?

Also, is it any wonder the people there are politically disenfranchised? Surely sitting in the wilderness has led them to believe it won't matter much either way.

I don't know if this is indicative really, I would guess a lot of people didn't bother as it will be recontested in the GE soon enough anyway.

PrincessLola

dlofnep wrote: »

Donegal has sense, and elected a candidate that was articulate, knew his politics and wasn't a pompous arsehole.

No, they vote for candidates because 'ah, sure he's a good man and he goes to mass'
Also, the young people are too busy betting p*ssed to bother voting, so the old stupid people vote them in.

K-9

The 2 traditional parties only took 40% of the vote. That is a sea change in Donegal politics.

Dempsey

dlofnep wrote: »

Donegal has sense, and elected a candidate that was articulate, knew his politics and wasn't a pompous arsehole.

But the new fad is to just vote FG/Labour to get rid of FF/Greens no matter who the idiot is....

L.T.P.

Well done Pearse Doherty!

But 21% of the electorate in Donegal South West should hang their heads in absolute shame.

Yakult

Tbh, I dont have fate in any of the other parties along with FF. They all smell of b/s.

Most people will still vote for Fianna Fail(ure) because its like our default government. These are the people, who reguardless of the situation will just vote for them as they have for many years
I wont ever vote for them nor will I give them the the time when they come knocking at my door.

After all of this, Im definally going into Politics down the line.

UsernameInUse

People are wholy misinformed about Sinn Fein.

They are the only party with enough balls and gut at this stage to actually do something about the mess Fianna Fail have left us with. FG and Labour coward away when SF voted for a motion of no confidence in this asshole Cowen.

This SF party and its candidates are a country mile ahead of Irish politics.
Look up north! These aren't the kind of people to demand a limo in between airport terminals...they'd get a kick in the arse by their colleagues if they didnt wear their raincoat!

Give Sinn Fein a chance at least. Read about them, their policies and their goals and dont dismiss them automatically because of what happened many moons ago. These are different people with different ideals.

Plus, they are the only party who have an alternative and will NOT enforce Fianna Fails 4-year plan.

General Zod

PrincessLola wrote: »

No, they vote for candidates because 'ah, sure he's a good man and he goes to mass'
.

A well readoned analysis of the political landscape in the North West. Submit your CV to RTE as soon as possible.

flahavaj

Well done SF on your pointless win.

As for FF polling well, this board and the thread we had earlier is evidence that there are plenty thick morons in this country prepared to blindly vote FF no mtter what kind of scams and lies they engaged in over the years.

This country has the leaders it deserves IMO.

Seloth

Ever think maybe those still voting for FF realize something that you dont,Or may actually have a bit more political know how,while most people here seem to get there whole political knowledge from new snips,Rants and front page headlines,rather than reading the article.

Honestly too call people idiots for voting for a party is even more idiotic.Just because people have different views does not make them idiots.What makes me laugh is many of those going on about the government, complaing so much in what use too be a fun after hours have actually little or know knowledge as too how our government or political system actually works,with a bare minimum of understanding of global news and economics.

squod

Brian Ó Domhnaill (7,344)

7,344 people in Donegal are bad evil fucks

homer simpson

Don't forget people that FF took a 23% drop compared to the last GE, me personally i see this as a somewhat pointless election, because with a general election imminent the people of SW donegal (electoral region) will have to vote in a few months again at the latest anyways...

SeaFields

hinault wrote: »

I heard FF vote was down by over 50% in that constituency since 2007.

That constituency is loyal FF territory.

Hopefully this implosion will be mirrored across entire country in the GE.

Thats exactly it.

I know people here are pissed that FF didn't get a big, fat 0% in the by-election but the drop they are after experiencing in that constituency is huge in comparison to last GE. Translated country wide FF are looking at decimation in an upcoming GE.

A lot of FF backbenchers and, dare I say it even a few ministers, are going to have a sleepless night tonight.

flahavaj

UsernameInUse wrote: »

People are wholy misinformed about Sinn Fein.

They are the only party with enough balls and gut at this stage to actually do something about the mess Fianna Fail have left us with. FG and Labour coward away when SF voted for a motion of no confidence in this asshole Cowen.

This SF party and its candidates are a country mile ahead of Irish politics.
Look up north! These aren't the kind of people to demand a limo in between airport terminals...they'd get a kick in the arse by their colleagues if they didnt wear their raincoat!

Give Sinn Fein a chance at least. Read about them, their policies and their goals and dont dismiss them automatically because of what happened many moons ago. These are different people with different ideals.

Plus, they are the only party who have an alternative and will NOT enforce Fianna Fails 4-year plan.

SF are a joke. Leaving aside all the republican stuff and history they have, they have no stated policy on anything except some wooly opinions on social equality and equity. They are the epitome of a party that score lots of points by sittng on the sideline and criticising but when you put it to them to actually explain their policies they have nothing.

Its no co-incidence that their support base is primarily made up of knackers in council estates in Celtic jersies beating the tired old republican drum than anyone with an ounce of intelligence.

ejmaztec

If Enda Kenny fell on his sword, FG would do a lot better. One of the things they have in common with FF, is that the leader won't feck off for the good of his own party.

UsernameInUse

flahavaj wrote: »

SF are a joke. Leaving aside all the republican stuff and history they have, they have no stated policy on anything except some wooly opinions on social equality and equity. They are the epitome of a party that score lots of points by sittng on the sideline and criticising but when you put it to them to actually explain their policies they have nothing.

Its no co-incidence that their support base is primarily made up of knackers in council estates in Celtic jersies beating the tired old republican drum than anyone with an ounce of intelligence.

Generalisations much....

Apart from that, you're so ignorant - it would be too generous for us to enlighten you.

K-9

SeaFields wrote: »

Thats exactly it.

I know people here are pissed that FF didn't get a big, fat 0% in the by-election but the drop they are after experiencing in that constituency is huge in comparison to last GE. Translated country wide FF are looking at decimation in an upcoming GE.

A lot of FF backbenchers and, dare I say it even a few ministers, are going to have a sleepless night tonight.

It would mean FF dropping a seat in a General Election in a safe 2 FF seat constituency.

homer simpson

flahavaj wrote: »

Its no co-incidence that their support base is primarily made up of knackers in council estates in Celtic jersies beating the tired old republican drum than anyone with an ounce of intelligence.

never heard a more stupid statement that that, your basically calling the most of SW donegal knackers....

Its statements like yours that prove AH's is not the place for serious even semi serious conversations of any kind!

positron

It's simple. In a democracy, people get the government they deserve.

So just look around. If you feel that wrong decisions are being made by the country, you are a minority. And if you trust your faith in democracy, you can try and spread your idea and get people change. Ultimately, people will get what they deserve. Shyte people, shyte government etc etc.

flash1080

scientific1982 wrote: »

Too many old people voting and not enough young people.

I'm young and I'll be voting for FF. The future is bright.

General Zod wrote: »

Have you even considered it's possible that the Sinn Fein vote is down to the peoples confidence in the ability of the candidate to do the job of representing them?

Donegal is a FF stronghold, and the way it's going with The Drink Driving Doctor pulling out of the North East it's going to be hard for FF to get a seat in any of the wards.

Apparently it doesn't matter how good the candidate actually is, only what party they belong to. Complete stupidness, but that's some people's take on it.

flahavaj

UsernameInUse wrote: »

Generalisations much....

Apart from that, you're so ignorant - it would be too generous for us to enlighten you.

The royal we?

Obviously my language was strong and exagerrated a little (This is AH not Politics) but it is a fact that that SF target people from lower socio-economic backgrounds to make up their vote, look at the amount of clinics they run in these areas.

They have f*ck all in the way of hard policy to offer as has been shown on numerous occasions from their inability to give a decent answer when pressed on same.

flahavaj

homer_simpson wrote: »

never heard a more stupid statement that that, your basically calling the most of SW donegal knackers....

Its statements like yours that prove AH's is not the place for serious even semi serious conversations of any kind!

In urban areas this is the case. Donegal obviously, given its geographical location is somewhat of an anomaly.

Bullseye1

Did you really think that the FF vote would completely disappear? Of course it won't. But i hope they get hammered in the next election:D

paconnors

I wonder if the state pension was touched in wednesdays announcement would FF still have got the same result nope cause the vote FF got was the grey vote

Bullseye1

paconnors wrote: »

I wonder if the state pension was touched in wednesdays announcement would FF still have got the same result nope cause the vote FF got was the grey vote

I agree the retired population will keep their numbers in the 20's IMO.

UsernameInUse

Bullseye1 wrote: »

I agree the retired population will keep their numbers in the 20's IMO.

We've got to get rid of the old people.

ejmaztec

paconnors wrote: »

I wonder if the state pension was touched in wednesdays announcement would FF still have got the same result nope cause the vote FF got was the grey vote

It could have been the young uns as well, being told they wouldn't get any dinner if they didn't vote for FF.:(