The wondrous adventures of Sinn Fein (part 3) Mod Notes and Threadbanned List in OP

Yes, FF/FG combined would likely have more seats than SF. If things remain steady. FF/FG don't lose too much, SF don't gain too many.

They are also in a coalition for the first time in 100 years. This will not happen in a general election to any great extent, especially when both parties will be scrambling to look as different as possible. Regina Doherty put the boot in to the greens, but I suppose they don't expect the greens to be around after the next GE.

I don't believe a United Ireland played any role in SF not gaining as much as they may have. With the conservative right, led by Gript, all but wiped out, I'm not sure what the field of play will look like.

MLMD is good for a clanger, who is advising her is the interesting part

She will be all guns blazing now to come out with a couple of whoppers ot get back onto the internet with some videos etc

We can expect a couple of her "Dear Deirdre" letters in leaders questions etc

All noise, irrelevant noise that everyone is sick of listening to, of course backed up by faux outrage Pearse and shout from behind MLMD Eoin

Who said it was a success? You asked were the votes went? I pointed out they gained votes.

They dropped in the polls in the lead up. I get why FF/FG are citing polls and not seats won/lost, but lets not confuse the two.

My spin? I heard her. She was bullshitting. That's what politicians do. Of course it was a major kick in the teeth for them.

They see the island as one. They would lose all credibility if they cut ties with NI. Even FF flirt with NI.

Like what? I can't think of any scandals that would eclipse FG's own selection.

Whatever the disadvantages, they gained seats. FF/FG/Green, lost seats.

It reads like you are trying to show there are in fact two SF's. We must remember that as they are two different jurisdictions, they of course need to be different animals in practice.

There's no theory, they are an all Ireland party. MLMD is the president. She's MON party leader.

I agree on the state of NI politics. Any southern led party with representation in NI, would need to adapt. For your theory to hold weight we would need dismiss the SDLP, DUP, Alliance and so on. That's denying the NI statelet it's democracy, whatever form it takes. Also we have more than our fair share of people who will vote for a party no matter what they get up to, based on family allegiances. It's these allegiances that keep FF/FG on life support.

No. They are the same party operating in two different jurisdictions. Of course they have to adapt, due to the different rules and regulations.

That's fine, but MLMD is the leader in fact.

No idea. I would like to see them push on housing and health. Like all the other ongoing crises, immigration will likely drop from the headlines in the coming days. When they were at 30+ in the polls they were no different than what they are now. I don't see a need for any rebrand, just less jumping on band wagons. The hate speech bill will be the next disaster for anyone who openly supports it.

I'm more interested in the good of the country. Sitting in opposition, by choice, for strategy isn't very honourable IMO. We need FF/FG out yesterday. As expected, the Greens are all but shutting the door behind themselves.

Too soon? When you look at Harris and McEntee, all the time in the world won't make them competent.

I doubt you will, Pearse is good at the faux outrage in Dail to get a few clicks, apart from that he seems to struggle with doing his actual job

To be fair, if you look over at the FF/FG/Green thread, virtually every response to a new scandal is met with a SF anecdote.

Just pointing out they gained, FF/FG/Green lost.

You are likely right. It will cement FF/FG as the same party. This will damage them as the grass roots will likely begin to drift off.

Why would it damage grass roots?

It either party joined SF it would send them beyond repair.

No it's not.