Sinn Fein and how do they form a government dilemma

Can someone tell me what MLMD said please? I'm not near a TV and I don't see anything online yet. Something about the electorate mistaking SF for the Government and thus giving SF a kicking. Is that right or have I got it wrong?

Isn't that statement by her:

1. Silly
2. Wrong, and
3. Insulting

I get she's probably tired, emotional and upset but that's all the more reason not to be making off the cuff statements.

Falling back on 'the people have spoken, the bastards' would at least have showed a sense of humour. 😀

Looking at the percentages FG and FF are ne k and neck at 22.9% each. If that was replicated in a GE they would be with striking of an overall majority because of the dispirited opposition. 20% Ind 11% SF and the rest are allat or below 5%.

46% could give you an overall majority in that case. If the SD and Labour combined they could overtake SF in the election after next.

No. That Mary Lou interview has no relevance and is already forgotten.

SF need to look at their own mistakes in this.

They have long done better in locals than general elections. Incumbency making such a difference.

That said they also now heavily transfer to each other and should feel confident about an election.

Been a disaster for them.

The one takeaway from these results for me is that social media is NOT a reliable indicator of the opinion of the population.

We have been hearing non stop about how FFG have failed miserably in housing, immigration, health, crime etc and that their days were numbered. SF at >30% in opinion polls.

Yet they fly through the local elections. It appears that the majority of voters think they are doing a grand job.

If SF are going to remain a centre-left/far-left party, they will never the main party in a government. Ireland is a very centrist country, quite conservative in ways.

The flip flopping from SF has hurt them.

The young progressives dont know what they stand for anymore and have become bored by them.

The working class nationalist types have gone to the right and independent. They won't be winning them back at all.

Labour appears to have woken up.

The Greens are holding their own.

So the question is, where are they going to get these votes from if they want to be the biggest party in the next government?

The idea was that SF was going to eat up all smaller left wing parties, but it appears many of them are holding their own.

TLDR

There are not enough voters in Ireland to elect a left-only government without FF or FG. The people are soverign are they not?

I think there were plenty salivating about SF turning more right but they didn't and have been proved correct on that one.

Eh, but they have.

They have talked about 'Open Borders', a far-right dog whistle.

They have flip flopped completely on the Hate Speech bill.

They want to kick a load of Ukrainians out of the country.

The fact is, SF have moved to the right. (FG has aswell by the way)

This…

I couldnt believe that she was more or less calling the electorate 'stupid'.

MLMD is now the gift that keeps on giving for FF and FG.

The boys in West Belfast will have to take her out.

She'll not be answering any calls from +44 numbers this week

A prediction I made over the last couple of years was an impact in this election. FF and FG transfered strongly between themselves and it would have a significant impact in a GE

Ignorance is bliss eh