Sinn Fein and how do they form a government dilemma

Well the way it's generally used in politics it just means "having a comfortable majority", that's why I put it in quotes. As to how stable it is in actuality, I guess that'll be up to SF. It's obviously not their ideal arrangement so if they are going well in the polls I can see them pulling a plug in the hope of being able to form a government more to their liking.

In the build up to the last election ML MD/ SF got blue in the face that the nation wanted change as it was beyond tired of the ‘ establishment parties ‘ running the country. And to drive home her point she referred to them as Twiddle Dumb and Twiddle Dee.

She did get her wish as there were enough TDs’ other than FF and FG ones elected to form a gov led by SF but she choose not to do so.

SF supporters appear to not understand how our system of government works.

Sure didnt MLMD 'win' the last election?

We were told this for months by some of the regular diehards on here. It seems that some of them have spent so long under British rule that they have become more British than the British themselves and thought that getting the highest percentage automatically led to a majority of seats. Worse, they didn't understand the PR-STV system and thought SF were shafted by it and that those elected on the fifth count were or less importance. It was bonkers stuff.

The real clever play after the next election will be for FF to do a C&S with SF. SF won't have enough TDs with a brain for form a Cabinet so there will be some inevitable huge f-ups in the first few months, allowing for a new election.

They are 7 0r 8 points ahead of where they where in 2020.

Policies would seem to be holding up and attracting voters.

*I doubt those that place Doherty top of the candidate list in Donegal would agree with your assessment of him as a TD either. Didn't he poll enough to bring two in along with him. 'Certain' voters indeed.

If these 'rich backers' are backing SF without being aware of their very open and transparent views on these matters then it their own problems.

Is there a precedent for this...what 'rich backers' voiced their anger before when SF spoke out on American aggression and imperialism or on Israel?

If most people don't read policies, why would anyone's policies be important then? I actually want a political party that can change their policy if it becomes clear it is wrong or no longer suitable.

This is where your opinion is at variance with those who elect him with a massive majority. I'll stick with the opinion of 21,044 Donegal people over some random person who doesn't like SF in general TBH.

Well you don't like SF, that is clear and you want us to think your dislike of Doherty is rational.

I'll remind you that every single TD was 'elected' by people, 'certain' or otherwise.

You haven't explained why 'policies' are important if 'most people don't read them'.

What are SF's policies?

Since you dont think Manfesitos are worth anything, how do we know what they are going to do.

You speak like there was never an internal spat or row in any other party ever.

I suppose we’ll gave to put up with the imminent implosion scoops from now to the election.

Yeh I do and I know how The Daily Mail use the ‘off the record’ quote too.

Not sure if serious.

It's ironic that Sinn Féin essentially ended the civil war politics between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, only for it to restart because Fine Gael and Sinn Féin hate each other... because of civil war politics!

Yeah they don't really hate each other, it's just the hardliners really.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael could merge, with possibly conservatives splits. On the other hand, Fianna Fáil could pivot to being more conservative and rural (not under Martin), which would set them apart from Fine Gael again. Either Fianna Fáil gets squeezed into a merger, or Fine Gael gets squeezed into being a minor party.

I think a lot of people have a fantasy of Sinn Féin getting into government, screwing everything up, losing most of their support, and then politics resets. But I think Sinn Féin is more likely to end up like the establishment parties, and one of the current parties will get pushed out. At the moment it is really hard to judge though, especially with the election likely over a year out.