nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

Child Item

Varadkar puts FineGael on election footing

zell12

FF may support/abstain on a no-confidence motion in the Housing Minister which may make Leo Varadkar pull the trigger

Find more posts tagged with

Quick Links

Comments

FreudianSlippers

FF has absolutely nothing to gain by doing this - they're stagnant at the polls and FG are stronger. I'm not of the belief that this government will run its full term, but I don't anticipate an election until after April 2019 (obviously with the caveat of something unusual happening).

Sierra Oscar

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

FF has absolutely nothing to gain by doing this - they're stagnant at the polls and FG are stronger. I'm not of the belief that this government will run its full term, but I don't anticipate an election until after April 2019 (obviously with the caveat of something unusual happening).

I think it's pretty clear that Taoiseach is looking for an election. A snap election now would be good timing for Fine Gael, but they need a scapegoat and are trying to back Fianna Fáil into a corner. It's not even clear yet if Sinn Féin will table a no-confidence motion so the Taoiseach's comments are totally unnecessary and premature. He is attempting to soften up the public to the idea of a snap election.

Phoebas

Both FF and FG are playing games with this.

FF are threatening support for a no confidence motion, even though they would be the biggest loser, so they don't appear to be outmanoeuvred by SF.
FG are putting it up to FF, pretty confident that FF won't pull the trigger.

SF are playing them both.

blanch152

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

I think it's pretty clear that Taoiseach is looking for an election. A snap election now would be good timing for Fine Gael, but they need a scapegoat and are trying to back Fianna Fáil into a corner. It's not even clear yet if Sinn Féin will table a no-confidence motion so the Taoiseach's comments are totally unnecessary and premature. He is attempting to soften up the public to the idea of a snap election.

Sinn Fein would also like an election.

It is a problem of the new arithmetic of the Dail. With only one of the three parties in power, if two of the three want an election, the third will be left in an impossible position.

Fianna Fail are the ones running for cover now. They are unpopular in the polls, divided on abortion and will look like patsies for the government if they back Murphy, thus compounding their problems. I can see why SF want to table this and why FG will use it as an excuse for an election.

You could nearly be sorry for FF if they hadn't ruined the country.

Sierra Oscar

blanch152 wrote: »

Sinn Fein would also like an election.

I'm not entirely sure they want an election right now. Mary Lou is doing good work as the new leader, but she could do with another 6 - 12 months to build her support.

If Sinn Féin wanted an election then they would have already made a clear statement that they will table a no confidence motion and would build towards that in the coming weeks. The fact that they haven't shows that they are uncertain how to proceed.

I reckon Sinn Féin will only table the motion if they feel Fianna Fáil will back the Government, thus preventing an election but giving them a political win over the summer. However it seems they now fear that Fianna Fáil could in fact vote with them leading to an immediate election which will benefit Fine Gael the most.

The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis this weekend will tell a lot. I could be wrong and Mary Lou could use it to announce they will table a no-confidence motion. If that's the case then it's game on for Sinn Féin. If they don't, and continue with the 'we'll see what happens' approach then they clearly don't want an election.

blanch152 wrote: »

It is a problem of the new arithmetic of the Dail. With only one of the three parties in power, if two of the three want an election, the third will be left in an impossible position.

Fianna Fail are the ones running for cover now. They are unpopular in the polls, divided on abortion and will look like patsies for the government if they back Murphy, thus compounding their problems. I can see why SF want to table this and why FG will use it as an excuse for an election.

You could nearly be sorry for FF if they hadn't ruined the country.

Fianna Fáil are between a rock and a hard place. It seems they are the least prepared to fight an election now, but if they fail to support Sinn Féin in a confidence motion then they are handing them a big victory. They were meant to have gotten big concessions on housing during the last two budgets but it's had no impact on the ground. The housing crisis is getting worse.

EDIT: Sinn Féin have failed to table a no-confidence motion for next week.

https://twitter.com/Philip_Ryan/status/1007587160197877762

James Brown

Phoebas wrote: »

Both FF and FG are playing games with this.

FF are threatening support for a no confidence motion, even though they would be the biggest loser, so they don't appear to be outmanoeuvred by SF.
FG are putting it up to FF, pretty confident that FF won't pull the trigger.

SF are playing them both.

Agreed.
It kind of flies in the face of partnering with Fianna Fail for stability and the good of the country, despite FG's better judgement, (as was the sell).

Hitman3000

Murphy has admitted the housing figures are inaccurate, new hospital waiting list figures released over 700,000 waiting on a procedure. I doubt FG want an election either. Varadkar's words are to spook FF.

Kermit.de.frog

Wouldn't be a good idea to have an election before October - which is when a Brexit deal has to be reached with the UK.

Last thing we need is for our country to be perceived as unstable politically.

Idbatterim

Ff are right. The situation is a disgrace. But unless they have a credible propisal to do anything about it. They are just talking ****!

James Brown

I'd say Leo is very happy with the housing crisis. He's just putting out feelers and I wouldn't put any weight in anything Fianna Fail say.

zell12

They stole my thread title, word for word!
https://twitter.com/JohnBurnsST/status/1010640268276719617

Sierra Oscar

Tensions grow in Government alliance

Fine Gael have “little or no interest” in seeking a continuation of government with Independent Alliance “headbangers” after the next election, sources say.

...

“Just when you think they are getting to a good place with them, they throw a wobbler and cause trouble,” said one minister. They are headbangers.”

It really does seem like Fine Gael are desperate for an excuse to call an election. Fianna Fáil didn't take the bait earlier this month and now we have Government Ministers winding up the Independent Alliance.

Fine Gael know they need a fire-proof reason for cutting and running and seem intent on getting either the Independent Alliance of Fianna Fáil to bring it down. I reckon a September election is a strong possibility.

Edward M

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

Tensions grow in Government alliance

It really does seem like Fine Gael are desperate for an excuse to call an election. Fianna Fáil didn't take the bait earlier this month and now we have Government Ministers winding up the Independent Alliance.

Fine Gael know they need a fire-proof reason for cutting and running and seem intent on getting either the Independent Alliance of Fianna Fáil to bring it down. I reckon a September election is a strong possibility.

I think FG are gelling to the idea of SF in coalition.
It can't be FF they are counting on, or labour either.
If they are fed up of the IA then the only real alternative is SF, I believe this could happen now!

Idbatterim

Renua might win a few seats ...

Inquitus

Idbatterim wrote: »

Renua might win a few seats ...

Made me laugh!

Hitman3000

Idbatterim wrote:

Renua might win a few seats ...

....they won't.

Idbatterim

Inquitus wrote: »

Made me laugh!

What gives me a good laugh is knowing fg won’t be getting my vote again...

L1011

Renua couldnt win seats with big name outgoing TDs and senators and a vaguely sane platform

They aren't going to win anything with nobody and a platform to the right of DeValera in 1932.

If by some freak they did, they wouldn't go in to coalition with FG or a Martin lead FF anyway

Idbatterim

L1011 wrote: »

Renua couldnt win seats with big name outgoing TDs and senators and a vaguely sane platform

They aren't going to win anything with nobody and a platform to the right of DeValera in 1932.

If by some freak they did, they wouldn't go in to coalition with FG or a Martin lead FF anyway

A platform to The right of dev? Please elaborate! I take it you are talking about their social stance ?

L1011

Their social stance is all they have left. The economic content of the Lucinda era is gone.

They're a hard-right Catholic social issue party alone now. And the 0% they get in polls reflects the interest in that.

Nobody has ever been elected for them, a few councillors who jumped after being elected elsewhere is all they have

James Brown

I'd like to see the SD's making a mark.

L1011

Matt Barrett wrote: »

I'd like to see the SD's making a mark.

They've two vague chances of extra seats (Gannon, McNally) and the two co-leaders are never going to go in to coalition.

keane2097

L1011 wrote: »

They've two vague chances of extra seats (Gannon, McNally) and the two co-leaders are never going to go in to coalition.

Didn't they have someone make a decent effort in Galway last time out also?

Sierra Oscar

Matt Barrett wrote: »

I'd like to see the SD's making a mark.

This sort of news doesn't paint a bright picture for their future.

Trinity Social Democrats no longer operating as college society

They should be hoovering up members in universities.

James Brown

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

This sort of news doesn't paint a bright picture for their future.

Trinity Social Democrats no longer operating as college society

They should be hoovering up members in universities.

It's funny you hear the anecdotal tales of socialists ruling the roost in third level. Where I've been Sinn Fein were registered but practically non existent, same for Labour, however Fine Gael and Fianna Fail had strong memberships. There are a lot who view political affiliation at third level as a stepping stone, no point in feigning interest in society if your party aren't able to do you favours down the road.

Inquitus

Was listening to the Renua leader from Offaly on Newstalk driving earlier, he seems to be positioning them as the Irish right wing semi racist alternative, a party we have not had to date, anti-imigration, points based and the like less of them coming taking our resources, all subliminal dog whistle calls to racist elements hiding out below the surface in the Irish political world, we shall see!

badtoro

L1011 wrote: »

They've two vague chances of extra seats (Gannon, McNally) and the two co-leaders are never going to go in to coalition.

Niall O'Tuathaill came very close in Galway West last attempt. I think they still had Stephen Donnelly then as well and tbh he was the main interest in the SD'd for me at the time.

James Brown

Inquitus wrote: »

Was listening to the Renua leader from Offaly on Newstalk driving earlier, he seems to be positioning them as the Irish right wing semi racist alternative, a party we have not had to date, anti-imigration, points based and the like less of them coming taking our resources, all subliminal dog whistle calls to racist elements hiding out below the surface in the Irish political world, we shall see!

Cumann na nGaedheal. You could say they are ex-Fine Gaelers, returning to their roots. Renua is essentially 'Make Ireland Great Again' IMO.

blanch152

Matt Barrett wrote: »

Cumann na nGaedheal. You could say they are ex-Fine Gaelers, returning to their roots. Renua is essentially 'Make Ireland Great Again' IMO.

Renua are closest to the O'Cuiv wing of FF.

L1011

badtoro wrote: »

Niall O'Tuathaill came very close in Galway West last attempt. I think they still had Stephen Donnelly then as well and tbh he was the main interest in the SD'd for me at the time.

Remove the Donnelly Effect that they had nationwide and he's going nowhere. Gannon has boundary changes in his favour and McNally has media presence.

I still suspect they'll have the same 2 seats after the GE though.