2002 Election

Raskolnikov

I am suprised that no one has posted an election poll for the elecctions this year so i took it upon myself to do the deed.

I am still undecided as to who will get my vote but i am leaning towards the Green party(who incidently have a good chance at picking up a seat in my constituency of Cork south Central) at the moment as i feel it is time for a change. I am sure this poll will probably reveal an inflated amount of support for the marginal parties, will be interesting to see how it goes

dahamsta

Fine Gael will be getting my first preference, but that's because I think Simon Coveney is one of the good guys, not because he's FG. I don't have a lot of faith in the party leader at the moment. None of the party leaders are giving me any confidence if I'm honest. They're either whinging nonentities; or Bertie, who I used to like, but now dislike intensely. It should be an interesting election though, if FF keeps going the way they are; and the other parties play their cards right.

But you don't really care, do you.

adam

Meh

What about a few more poll options there?

• Undecided
• Won't vote

Personally, I'm undecided at the moment, but I more than likely will vote (especially if there's a danger of Sinn Fein getting elected in my constituency).

Chaos-Engine

Just a short note about the Socialist Workers Party...

Isn't it against their policy to even stand in the Dáil. They don't agree with tring to change the system. They believe that they can only topple it and change it via REVOLUTION....

And who the hell voted PDs... lol

swiss

Originally posted by RASKOLNIKOV
I am suprised that no one has posted an election poll for the elecctions this year so i took it upon myself to do the deed.

Well, I do believe that this has come up once or twice before . However, as was pointed out before, a week and indeed a month is a long time in politics. I do not see, however, a huge deviation in peoples attitudes/voting patterns in this poll (although it is a little early to say) compared to the previous ones.

I do not believe that there is any party out there that can effectively and efficiently work on my behalf to address the issues that affect me (and incidentally the rest of society ). Like the box of sweets that have come to me last, I have to choose which one I least dislike. I have maintained that in my opinion I think Fine Gael are the best of a bad lot.

Fine Gael do indeed have a rather 'crusty' image in politics, a party of conservatives who are willing to keep the status quo rather than innovate and invigorate themselves. However, I also believe that the majority of their candidates are honourable representatives. Allegations of sleaze have stung Fianna Fáil badly, yet they still fare as well as ever in the polls. I feel that ineptitude, ignorance, and inertia have been the hallmarks of the current administration, and that they deserve to go. The most viable alternative, is, IMO, Fine Gael.

I feel that voter apathy however, will benefit the smaller, rather than the larger parties. Sinn Féin in particular seem set to make significant gains in the next election, unless their links to vigilantism prove detrimental to their party image. Similarly the SWP may make some ground, as well as the green party and independents. I would not like to see any of these 'fringe groups' exert influence on the Dáil, and maybe if it wasn't quite so late, I would explain why

*cough* vote fine gael *cough*

amp

The Peoples Atari Jaguar party is also missing. And it should have been multiple choice to reflect our voting system. And what about the Waaaa Your Poll Is Crap Party ?

billy the squid

heres what I'm thinking of putting down on the ballot paper


1. Pat Kennedy (independent)

I owe him several favours

2. Tom Ryan (Independent)

He has a big mouth and sounds like someone who will let his voice be heard in the Dail

3. Michael Noonan (Fine Gael)

Would like to see a thaoseach from Limerick

4. Mary Jackman (Fine Gael)

have to put her somewhere

5. Willie O'Dea (Fianna Fail

See comments on Mary Jackman

6. Jan O Sullivan (Labour)

See Comments on Willie O Dea

7. Dennis O'Riardan (Independent)

8. Michael Kelly

I know there are a few more running but cant think of them right now.

but as you can see by the signiture that can all change

yellum

My family has always voted for Fine Gael but in recent years after dealings with Fianna Fail we are voting for them. Fianna Fail have done more for my family in the past 5 years than Fine Gael ever did in 20 or 30 years of dedicated support.

This was highlighted when my grandmother died last year and two fianna fail TDs came down from Dublin to attend the funeral. The cynical may think that its a good way of getting votes but at least they attended. A fine gael TD who the family was friends with for years didn't bother to attend.

At the end of the day its a trade system, if they get stuff done for you, you'll support them.

However even if Fine Gael actually did anything for me I wouldn't support them with Noonan as a leader. After the Hepatitis C fiasco I have to faith in him and with the party backing him as leader I have no faith in the party.

It would be nice to see Kathy Synott get a seat as more than likely Fianna Fail would need her support in the next government. Now that would make things interesting.

Victor

Can Independant be changed to 'Other' to account for the very small parties and the Independants?

Sand

Interesting but not surprising results so far. According to this you could have a government composed of the Greens as the largest party, Sinn Fein as coalition partners in exchange for control of the Justice and Defence portfolios, Labour tagging along, and the Socialist Workers Party (Assuming their manifesto allows it- if not some independant will step in in exchange for a building contract or two).

BTW Chaos twas me who voted PDs, least worst party imo. Granted they dont have their own private army, and theyre not so good in Government as other parties are in opposition but....

gandalf

Added undecided and Won't Vote to the poll as requested. I also deleted a post as it was trival and nothing to do with the topic.

Gandalf.

Victor

But shouldn't we be fair to the following:

• Comhar Críostaí - The Christian Solidarity Party
• Communist Party of Ireland
• Donegal Progressive Party (Donegal SW)
• Independent Fianna Fáil (Donegal NE)
• The Christian Democrats (The National Party)
• Republican Sinn Féin
• South Kerry Independent Alliance

I understand Muíntír na hÉireann have had their registration cancelled and the Natural Law Party ceased to exist December 2000.

billy the squid

No I dont think independents should be moved to other in the poll as I feel that they will get high votes

I imagine that the electorate have seen how jackie heeley Rae and the others have gotten things for their respective constituencies and the independents will be going around saying "look what one independent can do in south Kerry"

As well as that I would say that people have become disalusioned with party politics due to the various scandals

Fianna fail screwed up the Bertie Bowl

Fine Gael screwed up the Hepatitis C thingy

Its mostly older people who vote, right, well their not too happy that (65 - 70 year olds that is ) that increases in their pension have prevented them from getting a medical card being 2 or three euros over the limit to be entitled to one

This wil become an issue now that several of the indepents have formed their independent health alliance 8 or nine of them i think.

handyandy

Originally posted by fcddunne
Fine Gael screwed up the Hepatitis C thingy

No, I think it was a matter of the minister of the day following the legal advice given to him. I don't think any other minister would act very differently, given the advice. Yes, it is a horrible decision to have to make, but some decision has to be made. At what point do you give in to claims? So Noonan made an unpopular decision in relation to one person suing for a few hundred thousand. The decision shouldn't have been his decision and should have been made at intermediate level in the civil service (after all why are we spending all those billions?). Remember when Haughey refused to provide a trust-fund for haemophiliacs. I’m sorry FF have much more ‘blood’ on their hands.

Usually people avoid getting formal legal advice (Like Teahon with Waterworld) so they can plead ignorance. And think of the services that could be provided for the price of the Bertie Bowl.

Raskolnikov

I was going to say that you change a few of the options on the poll but as usual someone was way ahead of me, good work.

It's quite refreshing to see some diversity in a poll for once instead of FF topping the vote with FG in close pursuit. In terms of policy i don't see much of a difference in what they have to say, both seem to emphasize the same thing ie health, education etc but conveniently they are neglecting to tell that the only way to improve these is extra taxes. What also annoys me is the gimmicky, vote-grabbing ideas which both FF and FG have put forward without actually thinking through first. I am almost certainly going to put the Green's as my first choice, our canidate here in Cork seems to know what he is talking about and has been impressive with local issues

handyandy

Originally posted by RASKOLNIKOV
our canidate here in Cork seems to know what he is talking about and has been impressive with local issues

RASKOLNIKOV: are you advertising? on the hallowed boards.ie?

ReefBreak

And who the hell voted PDs... lol

I did.

I would originally come from a FF household, and I was going to vote No. 1 for them in this election, instead I'll probably vote for them as my No. 2 and 3 choices and I'll probably put PDs No. 1.

Why PD/FF? Well, the economy, jobs, etc, etc... Boring I know, but there you go. I'll put PDs No. 1 simply because their policies most closely match my own views: low taxes, deregulation, promotion of business and enterprise.

As for policies that affect me directly: it was Bobby Molloy that deregulated the Taxis. Excellent! I can now get a Taxi infinitely quicker in Dublin than I could last year. Plus I can remember promising to myself in the rain on Dame St last year that whoever deregulates these b*stard taxis will get my vote in the next election - so I guess it's payback time.

I wouldn't like to see FF in power on their own - I believe the PDs can act as a good party to keep them on the straight and narrow.

And most importantly, with the world and Irish economy now showing very tangible signs of recovery (I'm getting a few calls from IT recruitment agencies again), we need a steady hand to ensure that this country can take advantage of it. I believe a coalition of various FG/Labour/left-wing parties would only result in political instability... And this would be bad news for the Irish Economy.

ReefBreak

Originally posted by fcddunne
heres what I'm thinking of putting down on the ballot paper


...

8. Michael Kelly

I know there are a few more running but cant think of them right now.

but as you can see by the signiture that can all change

You don't have to put them anywhere - you can vote for as little or as many as you want. But a vote for Michael Kelly! Fúck me! Do you know what this guy is like? He's nothing more than a Limerick version of John Gilligan. Protection-rackets, gardai (and their children) intimidation...

seamus

Originally posted by yellum
My family has always voted

Not taking a personal stab at you yellum........But this kind of thing is exactly what's wrong with the voting process in this country. Maybe it's just the way you said it yellum, but people voting for a party because 'their Ma told them to' or because 'our family has always voted this way' shouldn't be voting at all. A friend of mine turned 18, 6 years ago. And for 6 years, anytime there's a vote, he gets dragged by the ear down to the polling station. When asked who he's voting for? 'I just stick down Fianna Fail, that's what my ma said'. :mad:. And if there's one person doing it, there's another 100 doing it too. I'm voting for the first time ever this year (yay ) and decided on Greens. My Mum said she had always voted greens, and I had thought she votes Fine Gael. Interesting. My Dad votes Labour. If you can't be arsed actually thinking about who you're gonna vote for, DON'T VOTE!! OK, your family are trustworthy to you, but your parents might be following tradition from the olden times of Fianna Fail being the Kings.

Please, make up your own mind.

handyandy

Originally posted by seamus
A friend of mine turned 18, 6 years ago. And for 6 years, anytime there's a vote, he gets dragged by the ear down to the polling station. When asked who he's voting for? 'I just stick down Fianna Fail, that's what my ma said'. :mad:. And if there's one person doing it, there's another 100 doing it too.

Isn't this the idea behind the secret ballot. He can vote for whoever he likes, but can then tell hi 'ma' he voted for 'the part'.

Raskolnikov

Originally posted by handyandy


RASKOLNIKOV: are you advertising? on the hallowed boards.ie?

I meant our local Green candidate.

Seamus: I think that the Civil War still has alot to do with the way people vote but thankfully the it is having less of a bearing on the way that we vote in recent years and even less so has the generations pass which i believe is a good thing.

I take my own family as example if this, my father is an ardent FF supporter and wouldn't dream of voting FG, my mother has always been a FG supporter. Whereas my brother is voting Sinn Fein this election (on the strength of local issues, not N. Ire) and i am voting Greens despite much ridicule may i add :P

DMC

Its good to see that amongst the youth of boards.ie that there are young people who will go out and vote.

I don't care how anyone votes, but I care passionately that you should vote. It's your democratic duty to vote, and if you don't vote, someone else speaks for you.

There is a lot of apathy amongst young people today with political life, that it doesn't affect them etc etc. I'd like to see a percentage breakdown of how many 18-30 year olds actually vote. The low turnouts in recent referenda are real issues that should be looked into, before less than 50% of the population actually vote in a new government.

bonkey

Originally posted by DamoDMC
I don't care how anyone votes, but I care passionately that you should vote. It's your democratic duty to vote, and if you don't vote, someone else speaks for you.

<snip>

The low turnouts in recent referenda are real issues that should be looked into, before less than 50% of the population actually vote in a new government.

I would have said its your democratic right to vote, not a duty.

Personally, I see choosing not to vote as being just as valid as a spoiled vote as a means of showing your displeasure with all options and the parties in general. Every single political party is concerned about the almost continuous decline in voter numbers. They are trying to figure out what they are doing wrong which is discouraging people from voting.

Personally, I think that sending that message is every bit as valid, and important, as casting a vote. Yes - I know the same message could be given by a spoiled vote, and arguably thats a betters solution, but I think it is unfair to say it is anyones duty to vote.

People, under democratic rule, are perfectly entitled to choose to have no say. Of course - they shouldnt complain afterwards, but thats a different story.

jc

four_star

there's a lot of people planning on voting for Sinn Fein but there won't be a candidate in the vast majority of constituiencies so how are you planning on voting for them??

DMC

Originally posted by bonkey
I would have said its your democratic right to vote, not a duty.

In hindsight (and in the light of day!) I would change that around too...

Spoiling a vote, I feel sends out a clearer message to politicians. You have bothered to get off your arse to get to the polling booth and voting for no one. Its more succinct than staying away.

BTW, as a Meath man, I'm looking forward to this new fangled electronic voting!

Biffa Bacon

Where are all the people that said they would vote for Sinn Féin? West Brit traitors the lot of them.

ReefBreak

They won't give their reasons for voting for Sinn Féin because they can't think of any.

bugler

What right do you two geniuses have to ask anyone to justify who they'll vote for?

ReefBreak

You're correct - I have absolutely no right. Apologies, my comment was quite short-sighted. What I should have said was:

In my opinion, they won't give their reasons for voting for Sinn Féin because they can't think of any.

Biffa Bacon

Originally posted by bugler
What right do you two geniuses have to ask anyone to justify who they'll vote for?

What's wrong with asking someone why they're voting for a particular party?

gurramok

Originally posted by ReefBreak
In my opinion, they won't give their reasons for voting for Sinn Féin because they can't think of any.

FYI:
my reason is plain to see on a previous thread here

bugler

You didn't merely ask a question, you asked a snide question and then insulted anyone who might vote for them. I'm not sure how familiar you might be with general good manners or etiquette of these affairs, but it is often seen as intrusive to question someone as to who they will vote for (or did vote for). There is a reason that voting is done in relative privacy, and we don't indicate our preferences by walking into a polling station and shouting "Give my number one to Ahern etc". If you want to know why someone votes for a particular party, try being civil and discreet. Part of poltics is opinion, and I'm sure I could come up with several reasons in my opinion that I could vote for ANY party.

Mailman

I know exactly who is going to get my first preference.
My dilemma is which of two candidates is going to get my second and third preference. As with others here there is a good chance my vote will go round more than once.

I won't be voting PDs. The glacial speed at which markets are being opened up has convinced me that they are impotent.
Just look over to the IrelandOffline forum to see what I mean.
As for the Taxis, the PDs didn't deregulate this industry, the public outcry forced Fianna Fail to do something about it. Fianna Fail have treated them with contempt during the last 5 years and if it weren't for Charlie McCreevy sharing their ideologies they would have looked very stupid indeed. If ever there was a party that was 'in office' but not 'in power' the PDs are it. The independents exerted more influence on this administration than they did. I had an open mind about them 5 years ago and would have considered voting for them as I'm in favour of low taxation and deregulation but they just haven't performed in the interim.
The taxation cuts came courtesy of Charlie McCreevy and surplus after surplus, not Mary Harney.

Our man in Havana

That poll doesn't cover the monster raving looney party!

They get my vote!

ReefBreak

As for the Taxis, the PDs didn't deregulate this industry, the public outcry forced Fianna Fail to do something about it.

It was Bobby Molloy (PDs) that finally dropped the bomb on the taxi cartel. And it's Bobby Molloy that's had to put up with the wrath of the taxi-drivers since.

If ever there was a party that was 'in office' but not 'in power' the PDs are it. The independents exerted more influence on this administration than they did. I had an open mind about them 5 years ago and would have considered voting for them as I'm in favour of low taxation and deregulation but they just haven't performed in the interim.

That's very debatable.

Victor

Originally posted by Bond-James Bond
That poll doesn't cover the monster raving looney party! They get my vote!

They are not registered as a party here

Mailman

That minister just happened to be manning the post when the change came. I object to him taking credit for anything there.
Looking at the PD website they list 3 years of peace in Northern Ireland amongst their achievements..... As if the IRA or UVF listen to them.

Any improvements that came our way are as a result of international market forces or pressure being brought to bear by the EU or the public threatening to storm the house.

As for being in office rather than power - I'll refer you to the abortion referendum, public spending and Campus stadium Ireland. PDs opinion on these issues were\are ignored. Also, when the PDs realised how corrupt their partner in government was they should have walked away but they didn't, they stayed round and collected their ministerial salaries.

From what I've seen a vote for the PDs is a wasted vote as they appear to blow in the wind and adopt the colour of whomever they ally with.

Our man in Havana

Originally posted by Victor

They are not registered as a party here

How do they register as a party?

Victor

Originally posted by Bond-James Bond
How do they register as a party?

I imagine if you contact the Clerk of the Dáil and/or the Electoral Commission (see the Useful Links post)

Originally posted by yellum
My family has always voted for Fine Gael but in recent years after dealings with Fianna Fail we are voting for them. Fianna Fail have done more for my family in the past 5 years than Fine Gael ever did in 20 or 30 years of dedicated support.

This was highlighted when my grandmother died last year and two fianna fail TDs came down from Dublin to attend the funeral. The cynical may think that its a good way of getting votes but at least they attended. A fine gael TD who the family was friends with for years didn't bother to attend.

At the end of the day its a trade system, if they get stuff done for you, you'll support them.

However even if Fine Gael actually did anything for me I wouldn't support them with Noonan as a leader. After the Hepatitis C fiasco I have to faith in him and with the party backing him as leader I have no faith in the party.

It would be nice to see Kathy Synott get a seat as more than likely Fianna Fail would need her support in the next government. Now that would make things interesting.

Similar story with me!
If theres a wrong way to become popular-Fine Gael are doing it.
They are going down the road of oblivion imho.
Michael Noonan may be funny, but him as Taoiseach:eek: no thanks.
To be honest I would be afraid of Fianna Fail in an overall majority government;although it was a long time ago since that last happened, it would make them or any party arrogant.

All politicians suddenly remember your complaints around election time regardless of what party (or none) they belong to and then forget them untill the next time.But it's important to keep voting as you can turf the bad ones out.
mm

Aspro

Originally posted by Reefbreak
I wouldn't like to see FF in power on their own - I believe the PDs can act as a good party to keep them on the straight and narrow.

Well well well. First Harney and her squandering of public money using an Air Corps plane to fly to Leitrim to open a friends off - licence. Now, more corruption and abuse of power by Bobby Molloy trying to influence a judge to defend a child rapist.

It brings to mind the international report from the Council of Europe on the levels of corruption in Irish political life.

“The number of recent incidents of corruption, which have been uncovered, does start to cast doubt on the sustainability of the current proposition that, firstly, there is no corruption problem and, secondly, there are no links between organised crime and corrupt public officials. Whilst these high-profile cases may be isolated they could also be the tip of an iceberg.”

Where does it end? While Fianna Fail and their Thatcherite sidekicks are looking after themselves and their wealthy friends ordinary people are suffering job losses, and an untenable health and housing crisis.

When will people cop on?

Originally posted by Aspro

Well well well. First Harney and her squandering of public money using an Air Corps plane to fly to Leitrim to open a friends off - licence. Now, more corruption and abuse of power by Bobby Molloy trying to influence a judge to defend a child rapist.

Both of them cut their teeth in Fianna Fail in the Haughey era-so I suppose....song#"the first cut is the deepest....#"
*cough* *cough*
The Bobby molloy thing is a deadly serious wrong.
mm

lara

Now, more corruption and abuse of power by Bobby Molloy trying to influence a judge to defend a child rapist

I don't think it's clear what he was trying to do. Since the letters weren't opened by the judge, and were returned to the woman in question (AFAIK) unopened, it's not clear what the letters contained. But he's resigned now, so it's become a sort of non-issue.

I haven't decided who I'll be voting for, but the thought of living in a country where Michael Noonan is leader is a very (very) disturbing thought...

ToxicPaddy

I agree... the chance that I might seeing that face on TV everyday is something to make me consider emigrating...

But then when you add everything else to it... its a bit scary alright...

Beastie Boy

PD's

Specifically because of the consituency I live in and the likelihood that Liz O'Donnell will be elected, I think strtegcially it would be best to vote PD for another 5 years of FF-PD partnership.

my prefernces will then go to FF.