Change is Coming. Voters are looking at Fine Gael

Sully

Okay, so im hearing a huge amount of people saying they are going to vote Fine Gael because they want a stable government and the trust their plans. Ill be straight, im a Fine Gael member and I won't post here pretending otherwise. But for the first time since I can remember, more and more people are saying they are voting Fine Gael. More since the election started, mind you, which original stated it was a fairly balanced affair with Labour. Where did it all go wrong?

It would seem that despite the increase in left groups, the people are wanting a rightsh government. We had Fianna Fail for years with reckless spending and carefree running of things. But despite this, people seem to trust only a right government and now they want the only right alternative to be the biggest party, and within a possible whiff if not a full majority government.

Its fair to say support for them has been growing, but who could have predicted such a huge swing? Even Fianna Fail voters want to elect Fine Gael for what they say is a 'strong and stable government'.

Sadly, it would seem from here and their Facebook that since the polls are showing huge gains for Fine Gael and big losses for the rest a number of people who are voting another way are purposely targeting the party on what can only be described as a mini hate campaign. Why bother? Its the peoples right. They trust the policies which have been in making and release since before election time. They want a right government.

So those in the middle and left, and Fianna Fail, should have used a campaign to focus on their policies. Their plans and why they believed their plan was better and made more sense. It doesn't say very much if you can only attack. Is that where others have gone wrong, Labour mostly it would seem?

Lets not focus this on what's wrong about Fine Gael, its not an electionering topic about them. Since everyone will be voting for change, in many shapes, lets look and see where it all went wrong for others in the campaign.

Maybe things will change when we do the counting, but its unlikely it will be a huge shift so its fair to talk in advance I think. Even if FG have a bad day, there will be huge change.

dename

Hi OP

I'm not anti-FG, just stating that first off. I do disagree with a lot of their social policy, but let's not go into that right now.

I see what you're saying in terms of change. But one has to take into account that there is very little emphasis on Left and Right in this country.

FG are doing this well because a large population of the people see only two options for government: FF and FG. I've only just now made this point in another thread. There's still a huge emphasis on Civil War politics in Ireland, huge.

Much of FG's popularity is down to the fact that they have been consistently vocal about the "affairs" of FF, which is admirable. Moreover, they seem a straight-laced bunch, they're more fluent and presentable than FF any day, and they seem to be a bit more in touch with people.

However, it is problematic to suggest that they are doing well because the country wants another Right government: not true. Many people vote FF/FG because they know little about the other parties (and know less about Left/Right), they stick with "safe" options. If the country wanted a Right government, then why were we one of the only countries in the EU to go more Left in the last, post-recession EU elections? And why do we tend to vote/think Left when it comes to much geopolitical or social policy? Because they are more clear-cut decisions: either candidate-based (as opposed to party-based, as in EU elections) or clear yes/no questions (like referendums). Hence, lack of knowledge is why our political landscape is dominated by FF/FG -- many people don't know enough about it, they stick with what they think they know, regardless of the fact that they might strongly disagree with their manifesto if ever they read/were taught about such a thing. I'm in agreement with Olivia O' Leary; politics should be taught in primary school, people should be encouraged to have their own mind when it comes to politics and it should start from when they're young.

Given that you're a member of FG, I wish you luck tomorrow. Like I said, I disagree with much of their social policy, so I'm hoping that at least there will be a FG/Lab coalition....

Sully

If its the case we don't know enough about the left, surely each of them has failed to educate the public on why their policies would work?

It seems even on EU treaties we dismiss the left.

As for civil war politics, good question! Not sure do many vote that way, just seems based on policy and performance.

I'd like to see another right based party set up, it needs to be balanced imo.

johngalway

Politics, it's a dirty business.

Rabidlamb

€3 billion worth of cuts coming in December budget.
FG are the only party to look at the elephant in the room, the CPA.
1.5 million people working in the private sector + 450,000 unemployed = 40% popularity rating.

Simples.

johngalway

I'll be reasonably happy with FG's performance if they manage to effectively cut the wastage of money in this country. Use that saved money to help the country prosper and it'll be a move in the right direction. Managing this country in it's current state is going to be a very tall order for any single or grouping of parties.

DoesNotCompute

It's all good and well to say that people want a majority FG govt, as it will be "strong and stable", however, Enda Kenny doesn't really project an air of strength. He's not really what I would call Taoiseach material.

Nonetheless, FG will be getting one of my votes, as they are the only party likely to do something about the waste in the public sector.

Sully

DoesNotCompute wrote: »

It's all good and well to say that people want a majority FG govt, as it will be "strong and stable", however, Enda Kenny doesn't really project an air of strength. He's not really what I would call Taoiseach material.

Nonetheless, FG will be getting one of my votes, as they are the only party likely to do something about the waste in the public sector.

True, but Bertie Ahern was someone many saw as Taoiseach material and he wasn't much good.

I think we need to start looking away from personalities. If the people feel FG policies and plans are the better, and that they could be the ones to lead us out of the trouble we are in and on the road to recovery - why throw away that vote for another party with what you feel has a better leader but poorer policies?

Kenny is Vice President of the European People Party, the largest group in the European Parliament with 265 members. Obviously doing good there, and has already made a very impressive mark on the party as a whole.

Look beyond one person. For all we know, he could be the best Taoiseach we have had in years if he does a good job when elected.

dename

Sully wrote: »

If its the case we don't know enough about the left, surely each of them has failed to educate the public on why their policies would work?

I said: a lot of people don't know about either Left or Right: there is not enough emphasis on the political compass in this country and neither the Left nor the Right have succeeded in educating the majority of the country on their Left/Right policies. FG call themselves a centrist party, Berty Ahern used to call himself a socialist -- the problem is widespread. Yes, it goes back to education, in that I think people should be taught to think for themselves from an early age. But, it's also a lot to do with the past.

But, let us disagree....

If FG did get in, it would be better than the current shower anyway....

Happy voting everyone

dolphin city

a vote for fianna gael is NOT a vote for change.

Sully

dename wrote: »

I said: a lot of people don't know about either Left or Right: there is not enough emphasis on the political compass in this country and neither the Left nor the Right have succeeded in educating the majority of the country on their Left/Right policies. FG call themselves a centrist party, Berty Ahern used to call himself a socialist -- the problem is widespread. Yes, it goes back to education, in that I think people should be taught to think for themselves from an early age. But, it's also a lot to do with the past.

But, let us disagree....

If FG did get in, it would be better than the current shower anyway....

Happy voting everyone

Wonder could we ever change it? Though it would seem more people are politically educated this time around then before, one would hope.

dolphin city wrote: »

a vote for fianna gael is NOT a vote for change.

Guess it depends on your definition of change.

The left, some at least, have very radical change plans. But GP/FF/FG and even Labour are not as radical in their approach. They want to reform major areas, but change how other things are done to make it better.

So, yeah, guess it depends what change you feel is needed.

Inquitus

It's the economy stupid. It really is. I am voting FG as I don't trust Labour anywhere near the economy. I am not a Social Conservative, and agree with Labour on social issues, but at the end of the day it's the economy that matters and nothing else in this election.

jester77

I think this is a case of Fine Gael winning by default, bit like a horse race where all the other horses have already fallen and only Fine Gael are left to cross the line.

dename

Sully wrote: »

Wonder could we ever change it? Though it would seem more people are politically educated this time around then before, one would hope.

Hi Sully, yeah it should be changed. Again, I refer to Olivia O' Leary (big fan): she proposes bringing political philosophy in as a compulsory "subject" to primary school when -- to use her words -- kids are still at the stage where they think they can change the world, and before they become sulky teenagers. Also, it could be argued that when History is taught in schools, there is too much of an emphsis on the past, and not enough emphasis on modern (and thus more relevant) history.
I agree with you that people are more educated this time around, which I'm glad to see.

Also, someone said there that it is all about the economy: maybe for you but not for everyone. For instance, there are two major conversations going on right now about stag hunting and same-sex marriage. FG's conservative outlook on both of these issues is turning a lot of people off (myself included). One person made the argument that these issues, though minor to some people, have the ability to reflect their social policy as a whole. Also, one could argue that the latter issue reflects their connection with the church -- which fundamentally needs to change for the progression of the country. I myself think FG are straight (excuse pun), and could be capable of doing a lot of necessary "cleaning up" in this country (political corruption, crime rates, etc.), which I would be grateful for. But the social policy needs to be updated.

Permabear

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Sparkyd2002

I have previously voted FG but not this time.I just dont think Enda is the man to lead us.if FG had a stronger leader yes but the party didnt have the guts to dump him when they got the chance. nail in the coffin for me was when he mentioned Cardinal Asset Management and EBS in the same sentence during the debate. Seems himself and Noonan have made friendds with these asset strippers and have awarded EBS to them before Fg are even elected! cronyism part 2