GE Exit Poll 10 pm

Catherine Byrne looking out in Dublin south Central (Ardagh already gone! That seat was a big one FF aimed for)
Looks like Costello and Collins will get the last two seats.
Glad Byrne looking to be gone.

In this century FF have been as high as 81 seats and as low as 20. FG 76 and 31. Labour 37 and 7. Greens 6 and 0.

Despite the hyperbole, this election is far from the biggest shift in voting patterns. Sinn Fein would do well to remember just how volatile the electorate can be. We are very supportive of politicians in government like Bertie who can deliver a Celtic Tiger. But very unforgiving of those who fail to give us a Tiger. SF will need to come up with the major goodies, or they could easily lose half their seats next time.

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

I see almost half of Sinn Féin voters want tax cuts. Less want an increase in spending than Fine Gael voters.

Sinn Féin more Fine Gael than Fine Gael?

Plot twist, Sinn Fein go hard right.

Ush1 wrote: »

Plot twist, Sinn Fein go hard right.

It is possible. They are meant to be the nationalist party.

I think the main thing stopping them is that they have to be the opposite of the DUP.

As someone who goes left wing myself I can't trust them to actually be left wing when the party gets into power (though I will more than happily take their transfers and over spills to the Greens/Social Democrats).

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

Yes, its the other story of this election. A big swing against women TDs, as voters feel men just offer a better option or are better suited, as with the swing to SF, to dealing with the critical issues of housing and healthcare. An unexpected shock to the expectation there, and women will have a lot of analysing to do to see where they are going wrong.

If they felt women were not suited why did they give the female leader of the most popular party in the state such a mandate ?

Christy42 wrote: »

It is possible. They are meant to be the nationalist party.

I think the main thing stopping them is that they have to be the opposite of the DUP.

As someone who goes left wing myself I can't trust them to actually be left wing when the party gets into power (though I will more than happily take their transfers and over spills to the Greens/Social Democrats).

Greens and SDs are centrists not left. 90% of Shinners I know are left wing.

Central Bank wrote: »

Voters should be careful what they wish for, Ireland is one of the wealthiest nations on the planet, if you want to see what real poverty looks like take a look at the socialist paradise that is Venezuela.

Or the Scandinavian countries!

Instant reaction to the election result.

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/0210/1114331-market-reaction-to-election/

Cody montana wrote: »

Or the Scandinavian countries!

Nah, we'd never vote for the tax rates they pay. Norway has a wealth tax which is applied to everybody.

Time now for FG to spend a few years on the opposition benches. Rebuild, do some ‘soul searching’, recognise that being a slightly less popular version of FF doesn’t work, maybe pivot back more to their natural centre-right position.

Time for SF and FF do go into government now. Financial prudence is a hard sell and it will be a government of spending and giveaway budgets. We have to borrow the majority of that money though, and raise the rest by increasing taxes on those running small businesses and those earning over around 50k a year.

astrofool wrote: »

Previous crisis/recession/depression caused by out of control house building, narrow tax base and high public sector pay and social welfare.

Sinn Féin 10 years later:
We'll build lots of houses, narrow the tax base again, and increase spending on public sector and social welfare

Public:
VOTE FOR THEM!

At least when all the hand-wringing happens afterwards, we can't say we weren't warned this time

the first boom, billions a year were thrown on top of the welfare budget, they can probably do a lot of what they say, by not increasing it! Lets look at LPT, the only ones paying anything meaningful, that isnt a pittance, are the ones likely being fleeced on income tax now. Either charge it at a proper rate or get rid in my opinion. Ideally get a council tax in place! EVERYONE pays it!

McMurphy wrote: »

Paudie Coffey calling for leo to go, saying the party are about to suffer their worst election on record ever.

But replace him with who paudie?

Not their worst in terms of seats. It wouldn't be a good idea with the electoral turmoil all about us and the not altogether remote possibility of another election. Here's a summary.

https://www.newstalk.com/news/ex-fine-gael-td-paudie-coffey-calls-leo-vardakar-resign-964954

The other stuff makes sense although I'd say getting the right message out is their biggest failing.

ygolometsipe wrote: »

great positive news


"Mr Hughes said that this could ultimately benefit Ireland's image in the eyes of international markets. "If they actually can make progress and deal in a fundamental way with problems like housing and health that impinge on the economy and broader Irish society that would be something that markets, consumers and businesses would be delighted about," he said."

Not news, an opinion.