Presidential Election 2025

Its always been present. Mainly among the more hard-line Unionist/Loyalist.

The huge advantage that NI is in - being within both the EU Customs Union // Single Market, while also having full access to the UK. This is a huge advantage, but its always sold as the 'great betrayal' of the Unionists, by London. We are also held responsble of course.

Look at the dabacle around EURO 2028. NI had the oppertunity to host matches, but hard liners couldnt get behind it because of the inclusion of Casement park. Yes there were other issues, but the predominant view from Hard Loyalism was that Casement is a nationalist park, and shouldnt be funded by the UK.

I have every respect for a persons right to identify as British, and Unionist. But there is a powerful bloc within this societal group that cannot be reasoned with. If GB mainland caught fire, they would be pouring petrol on their own rooves within an hour. They are single issue, against Irish Nationalism, and that includes anything they can frame along those lines - all other considerations are null and void

In fairness the spoiled vote of 6.25% of the electorate (13.5*46.2) is bigger than 10% of 40%...

I can say as a FG member that it wasn't paranoia.

After the botched referendum, he KNEW he had a target on his back, and he was correct in that assessment.

where did you get that graphic, as it is wrong

• there was no election in 2004 as there was only one candidate, so no need for an election
• There were four elections before 1990 and all had turnouts above 50% but these elections don’t count ?

So this election is not the lowest, it is the second lowest out of 8 elections. It may get above the 1997 turnout, so would rise to bottom 3 of 8.

But hey, don’t let facts get in the way of your soap box standing.

Have a good evening 😎

Interesting trend developing in the constituencies with the highest % of spoiled votes. Lots of midlands regions.

Any theories on that? Is there a higher presence of Celtic tiger hotels converted into IPAS centres? More catholic conservative types?

Maths musn't be your strong point. The average turnout in those 5 presidential elections was 54.3%. So this turnout was below average.

56.1% is the middle or median turnout of those 5 elections.

This is a low turnout election, just not as low as 2018. Get the facts correct.

Utterly embarrassing for Martin. Both for the initial decision not to go, then having to row back on it because he got such a wallopping for it.

Absolutely right that he attends. Would have been a disgrace if he didn't. Go there, take your beating, and say 'well done' to Connolly.

I don't see anything about him being there yet mind, and a declaration isn't too far away.

Except it won't, because when people spoil their vote it doesn't actually count for anything.

Like I say, nobody will care in a week, Catherine Connolly is still President with the biggest mandate given by anyone in the State, ever.

Spoiled votes, no matter how many there are, mean absolutely sweet f*ck all. Nobody will care in a week.

Martin was asked about the high numbers of spoiled votes, said he'd have to look at how the nomination process worked

where did you get that graphic, as it is wrong

Probably an AI summary...

I can only speak on the Dublin Constituencies and say that they would be underprivaleged in certain areas, and probably working class. Its difficult because the various constituency borders have shifted numerous times, but I have lived in both South Central, and Mid West - between these you could include Ballyfermot, Clondalkin, Inchicore etc. I think there is dissatisfaction and disaffection. And this could have added to both the spoiled votes, but also - if you check, these constituencies voted heavily for Connolly, as opposed to HH. So they would be left wing - like myself in fairness

I worry about these areas as to there being targetted by bad actors, beyond mere anti establishment - And we have seen what can come of this.

Just to be clear, I am not having a dig at them (i lived there), and I respect peoples right to vote, and to spoil their vote! - But dissatisfaction with the establishment would be high, in my view. I cant speak to the other constituencies but, thats as i see it