So other than the PDs has anything really happened ?

[Whig]

The rise and peaking of SF.

But you could almost say, looking at those figures, that SF have the old SFWP/WP votes and seats. They're not in the same constituencies, I'll grant that I'm looking only at figures between 1987 and 2007 and not the fact of DL drifting into Labour, but adrem has some point if we use that to explain that particular difference.

1989 - WP 7, Others 3
1992 - DL 4, Others 6

Given the constituency differences, I'd say it's more likely that they went into DL, and then weren't bothered enough to go back to tiny-party-radicalism when the merger happened.

Plus, apart from the broad Border support for Ó Caoláin, isn't a lot of nouveau SF's support from first-time voters?

Yes you're right really, though Ferris and Morgan were also of the Ó Caoláin type voter as well. I suppose my point is that I've thought for a while that SF would never really rise in seats and votes more than WP back then. So, in Dáil makeup, over twenty years SF replaced WP, but not in terms of who voted for them. I can't see them going the way of WP though, because of what you said about it being a different type of voter.

[Mosheen]

Thats the best part of it, or at least the end of McDowell's political career. If he actually stays away, cos last time they made him AG to give him a vehicle to sneak back in. He is once again sneering at his great unwashed constituents. Who will take up his place as the Irish fascist trailblazer? I dunno yet but there will be one and he, or possibly she, will use the ould pleasantries a bit better than that nutter could. All the same, thank the Lord, its a great day for the Irish!

[Mary Frances]

The gloaters who are revelling in McDowell's demise are mainly either lefties or SF - two groups that got creamed themselves in the election.

The great irony is that McDowell despite being dumped by the electorate inflicted huge damage on these two groups:

His filleting of Adams in the TV debate certainly hammered SF's hopes of a breakthrough in the South

Moreover, he badly damaged the left with his constant sniping about "slump coalition" over the last few months which filtered into peoples' minds by osmosis; also his reference to his opponents in the TV debate as "the left, the hard left and the left overs" was a body blow. The "left" is a perjorative term now in Irish politics. No wonder Boyd Barrett amde sure to have no references to Socialist Workers Party in his campaign. He'd have halve his vote straigth away if his true political motivation was known by the voters

[MacEHaVelly]

I agree entirely. It was a joy to see adams have the balaclava taken off in public. That man has had kid glove treatment for far too long-for obvious reasons. Now that peace is tied down, i really get the feeling there is a hunger for the truth about the actions of the provo leadership during the trouble. War crimes were commited- i'd like to see some justice delivered for all the people of ireland. Loyalist/republican/brit spooks off to the hague with them- and give us proper closure.

Mcdowell, you've done this state some great service- holding that seat, particularly with the FG rise was always going to be iffy. Take a deserved break, and F**k the begrudgers.

[Sligoboy]

Yes McDowell you've done this state some great service by destroying the PDs with your bloated ego and shrill self righteous lack of self control.

Now we have PD hacks claiming the poodle single handedly 'filleted' the SF vote. How delusional can you get?

FF stagnated the Sinn Fein vote. The only voters McDowell scared off where PD voters.

[morryah]

The rise and peaking of SF.

Reminds me of the Disco Stu quote: "Did you know that disco record sales were up 400% in 1976? If these trends continue...Aayyyyy"

Point being SF weren't going to rise indefinitely and thankfully they've plateaud.

[spalad]

This thread is truly unbelievable. This country is, and has been for years, a mono-party country. Who seriously believes there is a difference between FF, FG, Labour, PD ? Even SF are trying to get to the middle ground.

The system works, obviously. A brave new world of debt. Where are politicians of vision? Politicians who care about the Republic? Vague memories of Brendan Corish, Noel Browne, Lemass and many others. Long ago.

This is the view from Kerry