I've been enjoying RTÉ's coverage of the Irish general election off and on today, and the following points have been made repeatedly -
1) The centre-left Labour party is heading for its best election result ever, surpassing even the "Spring Tide" of 1992.
2) The well-to-the-left Sinn Féin is heading for its best election result ever.
3) Many left-wing candidates standing as independents or for smaller parties are also likely to be elected. For instance, Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party looks set for a return to the Dáil, having been defeated in 2007.
4) It seems overwhelmingly likely that Labour are heading into government, having successfully checked the Fine Gael bandwagon in recent days by reminding the electorate of the importance of a broad-based administration.
Put all these facts through the 'Guido filter', and what do you get?
"The Irish election results...show that left-wing parties failed to make the breakthrough"
"Adding the Fianna Fail vote the parties of the centre-right got 51%"
The latter point might make some kind of sense if it hadn't been for the fact that a) Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have had a majority between them in every single election in history in which both have stood, b) 51% is an unprecedentedly low combined share, and c) Fianna Fáil are political untouchables at present, so any theoretical parliamentary majority that includes them is fairly academic.
But Staines' analysis gets yet more exotic -
"This will stiffen the resolve of George Osborne to persevere with spending cuts"
Unfortunately for us all, I'd suggest he already had plenty enough "resolve" for that endeavour. I'm not sure where this stunning showing for the Irish left really comes into it.
I have to say, I enjoyed seeing the hilarious looking Mick Wallace seemingly topping the poll in his constituency.
ReplyDeleteWe need more guys with mental hair, pink t-shirts and a stinking hangover in politics!
Very true. And what a pity Jedward couldn't fit the election into their already busy schedule!
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