It will be interesting to see how long the publics anger with the government parties last.I would imagine that they could pay a bigger price in the locals than in the europeans as people consider bread and butter issues more in the locals than in general and euro elections.What do posters here think and who could benefit most if there is a large anti gov swing in the locals.

The locals don't really matter. Neither do the europeans. I'd hazard a guess that people will have forgotten the current fiascoes by the time of the next general election. This is the hell we live in.

FG and Labour of course.

SF peaked last time in 04. With the problems they have been having with their councillors they may very well lose some- if perhaps not many- of these.

Your party the SP will be going big time. You will be hoping to make an addition of one to your (I think) four councillors with Higgins standing in Castleknock. He won't get in though.


Of course they do.

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The locals could be very bad for FF... however, if one thinks back to 2004, FF only got around 32% in the locals then as well.. and I'd imagine that 32% is the absolute core vote for FF, so they are unlikely to fall much further than that..

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To who?

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The result:
1) The number of Fianna Fail councillors decimated at the very least.
2) FF will have no influence on any councils.
3) Gormley will not be allowed to give local authorities more powers.
4) End of government.

Sinn Féin could be a beneficiary. Since 2004 we have had the 2005 IRA statement which has a slow release effect in terms of removing the upper ceiling on Sinn Féin support. There is also a feeling around that a party that is outside the establishment consensus - SF reps take only the AIW - would be more in tune with the concerns of the electorate.

Expect SF to make gains.

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RIRA/CIRA not in my name "They are traitors to the island of Ireland” Martin McGuinness

"All people are entitled to full cultural and social equality" Mary Lou McDonald

"Republicans recognise that we have a journey to travel in developing our own understanding of unionism." Gerry Adams

No but maybe the voting-machines will.

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To all of the political parties for example. It will be very encouraging for FG and Labour if they do well and very, very encouraging for the former if they can overtake FF nationally in terms of LE seats. They were only a handful away the last time.

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Seats in the Dail are the only power in this country. Council elections are a throwback to British rule as a means of keeping the plebs happy. For God's sake, the British drew up the counties. And decided which were the cities.
I'm suprised at you.