Sinn Fein and how do they form a government dilemma

Because SF are serial liars.

They know that they do not and will ever not have enough votes or seats to be the Major party in government if it came to govern with FF or FG. They will at best be on the same level.

But if they are banging on about powerswaps and the like, why would they go into government with the very same people they want to get out of government. Their electorate arent the brightest so there will be questions asked here.

On the other side of it, they want to dictate to the likes of Labour and SD, but Labour and the SD are not going to be their mudguards.

Put simply, SF dont get southern politics.

FPV

FF.

2020 484k. 2024. 481k. Change -3k. Pct Change. -0.62

FG

2020. 455k. 2024 458k. Change. +3k. Pct Change. +0.65

SF

2020 535k 2024. 418k. Change -117k. Pct Change. -21.86

I'm getting these numbers from wikipedia which should be able to get basic numbers right. But they're so gobsmacking I'm wondering if there's an error.

The vote dropped by one fifth even though numbers of candidates went from 42 to 71.

If only the electorate could have had some inkling in advance of what they were voting for.

24 x 20% - = 19

24 % of first preference votes in 2020 dropping to 19% in 2024 is a 20% drop in first preference votes

This is just nonsense.

The denial around what MM did on the night of the election in 2020 is just choice really. Perish the thought but they discussed it on RTE during this one's coverage.

I also never said the electorate don't want FG either.

Making up stuff never ends here.

Well let me make you a deal?

If you won't read what I actually have to say before commenting on what you think I said, then I won't bother reading what you have to say, because by definition it is made up. Deal?

Take care.

It's often said and remains true. Not a normal party.

The only two canvassers I spoke to were SD and labour. I told them I couldn't see any real difference in policy so why don't the SD's go back to labour and give the country an alternative, proper left option. Ego was the answers from both canvassers...

They seem to have nibbled a good bit of the shinner vote. 5 more years of negative politics from shouty Doherty and unfinished policy proposals from o,broin will see them nibble more imo.

Even in defeat the shinner perspective of its you, not us, is perplexing. No leadership.

So many privileged folk on here who support FFG in denial that their once mighty two parties who were sworn enemies have been reduced to a tragic double act in their desperate quest to hold power, and who's share of the vote continues to wittle with every election that they're now in the minority of the electorate. Maths is difficult for them but sure why is that a surprise when they've annihilated the housing economy and health system. Numbers and facts never has been their strong point.

They were at 16% pre the election. The independents lost to SF and other left parties.

If you know anything about what was happening before and during the campaign those independents were targeting the space SF and other left parties occupied.

The opinion polls had independents much much higher than they finished.

What an uncredibly ignorant and ironically privileged response

when all is said and done and without FF and FG saying anything about coming together to form the next gov - they did not have to because they cooperated very well over the 5 yrs and their supporters felt that if it’s not broken then do’nt fix it and also there was no need to mention about vote stopping between the two- the opposition had done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about putting forward a programme. Very late in the canvassing ML and Ivana Bacik kind of hinted who they might talk to . Bacik notably left out SF re who she might talk to andML left out Labour.
Just imagine THAT COMBINATION getting in and running the country and it is only now - the day after the votes being cast that they are thinking of having a UNITED FRONT.
it would not be necessary for them. To have such a front worked out in detail but broad agreement on the core issues so that the voter gets some sense as to what they would be on about if they were successful.

This MANTRA of give us a chance RINGS Hollow - a chance to do what