General Election and Government Formation Megathread (see post #1)

Leonard Hofstadter wrote: »

Another election. Can't understand why FG doesn't take advantage of their 35% standing in the polls, that would net 70 seats. Then do a deal with Labour, Soc Dems, rural TDs, FF (what's left of them).

Maybe another election would give a similar result to February, but then FG would definitely have legitimate grounds to go into opposition, and let someoene else.

FF would ditch Martin in this scenario and probably go in with the Shinners. The only way to solve the problem of the Shinners is to expose them to the reality of being in power. Maybe then Fine Gael might grow up and remember their values, and relentlessly hammer home how incompetent a FF/SF Government would be, and we might have grown ups again in charge in a few years' time.

As things stand, Fine Gael has a death wish if their membership approves this. If this gets through, they've lost me as a voter, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I actually wouldn't know who to vote for now.

I could have written that. Totally agree. Fine (pronounced fine ) Gael have completely lost the plot!

Whilst people are probably looking upon FG a bit better than a few months back, going back to the people may pi55 people off especially with Covid, campaigning and indeed voting being a bit fraught I can see why people would be worried how small election would play out.

I know we need a government with a fresh mandate but I'd prefer most other parties beside the Green Party. They will not be good in government as while it's good to want to protect the environment because we only have one planet, the Green Party seem very rigid and it's a their way or they take their ball and go home.

Edit: also poll numbers I would take with a silo load of salt at this time.

bren2001 wrote: »

Going back to the people makes complete sense to me. The "mandate" the new government were given may no longer be reflective of what people want as landscape is completely different. Certainly the budgets they presented and debated on can be thrown in the bin as can their manifestos. I would very much like to see what each parties plan is to get us out of this financial mess.

Yeah it’s a different world now but if I was involved in a party I’d be thinking we have no idea how this might play out.

salmocab wrote: »

Yeah it’s a different world now but if I was involved in a party I’d be thinking we have no idea how this might play out.

I think FF, FG, Greens, Soc Dems and Labour are happy with their positions. The first three being the only ones that matter. The only party that I think are keen for an election are SF and they have no say in the matter.

From a voters perspective, I'd like another election. There's a moral argument for it but there's very little space for morals in politics. However, I'd vote for the same person who, most likely, would be elected quite close to the last count.

The FG party should definitely reject this deal.


This would then provoke a general election. However the way the voting is structured will, in my opinion, mean the odds of it being rejected are low.


FG are throwing away a great chance to significantly increase their TD numbers. And to wipe out FF as a major party. FF's antics on the Pension Age is the same as those on the Water Charges after the last election. They deserve oblivion for their lack of 'principles' (or complete absence of same).

Good loser wrote: »

The FG party should definitely reject this deal.


This would then provoke a general election. However the way the voting is structured will, in my opinion, mean the odds of it being rejected are low.


FG are throwing away a great chance to significantly increase their TD numbers. And to wipe out FF as a major party. FF's antics on the Pension Age is the same as those on the Water Charges after the last election. They deserve oblivion for their lack of 'principles' (or complete absence of same).

I think there is the possibility of increasing their TD numbers but not making any gains and opening the door for SF is equally likely, if not more likely. They handled the Brexit stuff very well but were punished for other mistakes while in government. They've handed most of the COVID stuff quite well but eaten bread is soon forgotten. By the time the election comes around, we could be back to normal i.e. people in work. They won't get any credit for what they've done (I say that as someone who would never vote for them).

During this pandemic, they've handled the education stuff terribly, there are huge questions to ask around the nursing home and there are plenty of justifications to be asked for their financial decisions. There are plenty of easy targets for other parties to pick at.

On top of that, Housing and Health have not gone away. The second becoming an even more pressing issue. They don't have a particularly great track record in either during their term. I struggle to see where their massive increase in numbers will come from.

The big winners in all of this are FF. They've a serious chance of rebuilding a bit over the next 2 years before collapsing the Government over some trivial disagreement to trigger another election.

Macha wrote: »

I don't understand this. The party stands firm on its policy demands and that turns you off voting for them?

No, it's not that they stand firm on its policy demands as it's hardly a surprise what the policies of the Green Party is, it's the way they present and convey those policies.

Imreoir2 wrote: »

What? How are they "for illegal immigration"?

The Green Party are for ending DP, which is a good idea, but aren't for faster processing of the AS (i.e. 7 days max), and deporting the bogus AS.

I suspect that the GP want to allow bogus AS to stay.

They don't want to implement new policies to discourage bogus AS.

eagle eye wrote: »

AS?

Asylum seekers

Imreoir2 wrote: »

Hard to see how an application could be afforded due process in one week. The Green Party supports implemeting the recommendations of the McMahon Report.

Some very interesting stats in there, thanks. I was surprised by the amount of leave to remain and the lack of emphasis on the process itself within that document.