A two party state in 10 years?

[Rapid]

Given the fact that Ireland has a very deep-rooted coaltion-politics culture, I can`t see that happening. Besides, FF and FG are like tweedledee and tweedledum.

[PatMcL]

With the imminent demise of the Progressive Democrats, the Greens and the Stalingrad like blow inflicted on Sinn Fein that leaves Ireland with a 2 1/2 party system. But given the age profile of the Labour party and their stale policies It is difficult to see a long term future for them.
In contrast both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are better funded than ever before, have decent age profiles and slick organisational structures. With this in mind could we be facing into a two party state in the near future?

Stalingrad blow for SF? Nothing like hyperbole to expose a weak and vacuous line.
SF are embedded in the Northern part of this country (unaffected by the self proclaimed republican party) and seem likely to be so for quite a long time.
One thing they have shown is durability and I do remember other siren voices predicting their demise not long after the Anglo Irish Agreement, all of 20 odd years ago.

Given that your only opposition in the 6 counties is the pathetic SDLP that's not too difficult now is it? Voters in the 26 counties didn't take too long to see through your vacuous and nonsensical economic policies.

If FF stood in the 6 counties (and they should) SF would soon find themselves in serious bother. Many FF leaning people would sooner vote SF than SDLP and would be delighted to get a real option. FF have not done enough to advance the cause of Irish unity but SF have set it back many many years. Pissing off the Unionists for 30 years and then accepting a unionist veto on a United Ireland ain't the smartest tactics in the world.

So the opposition in the counties would shift from the pathetic SDLP to a pathetic collection of the brown envelope brigade, the economics of graft and the side deal? I tell you the committment of FF to the national question might go down well among the Saturday night crowd in the sticks but it aint going to wash in the 6 North.

Who are these FF leaning hordes who would rather vote SF than SDLP? Do they exist outside of your own fevered imagination? BTW FF bought into the GFA every bit as much as SF, so your jibe on the Unionst veto would be best directed at Ahern and Co. Not the smartest tactics to blame others for your own weaknesses.

[honestpolitics]

With the imminent demise of the Progressive Democrats, the Greens and the Stalingrad like blow inflicted on Sinn Fein that leaves Ireland with a 2 1/2 party system. But given the age profile of the Labour party and their stale policies It is difficult to see a long term future for them.
In contrast both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are better funded than ever before, have decent age profiles and slick organisational structures. With this in mind could we be facing into a two party state in the near future?

If Defeated's musings turn out to be true I have one word and one word only COUP!

[newbie12]

With the imminent demise of the Progressive Democrats, the Greens and the Stalingrad like blow inflicted on Sinn Fein that leaves Ireland with a 2 1/2 party system. But given the age profile of the Labour party and their stale policies It is difficult to see a long term future for them.
In contrast both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are better funded than ever before, have decent age profiles and slick organisational structures. With this in mind could we be facing into a two party state in the near future?

Stalingrad blow for SF? Nothing like hyperbole to expose a weak and vacuous line.
SF are embedded in the Northern part of this country (unaffected by the self proclaimed republican party) and seem likely to be so for quite a long time.
One thing they have shown is durability and I do remember other siren voices predicting their demise not long after the Anglo Irish Agreement, all of 20 odd years ago.

Given that your only opposition in the 6 counties is the pathetic SDLP that's not too difficult now is it? Voters in the 26 counties didn't take too long to see through your vacuous and nonsensical economic policies.

If FF stood in the 6 counties (and they should) SF would soon find themselves in serious bother. Many FF leaning people would sooner vote SF than SDLP and would be delighted to get a real option. FF have not done enough to advance the cause of Irish unity but SF have set it back many many years. Pissing off the Unionists for 30 years and then accepting a unionist veto on a United Ireland ain't the smartest tactics in the world.

So the opposition in the counties would shift from the pathetic SDLP to a pathetic collection of the brown envelope brigade, the economics of graft and the side deal? I tell you the committment of FF to the national question might go down well among the Saturday night crowd in the sticks but it aint going to wash in the 6 North.

Who are these FF leaning hordes who would rather vote SF than SDLP? Do they exist outside of your own fevered imagination? BTW FF bought into the GFA every bit as much as SF, so your jibe on the Unionst veto would be best directed at Ahern and Co. Not the smartest tactics to blame others for your own weaknesses.

Brown envelopes and graft! Ah the standard response of the embittered political hack. Just as well the boys in the ra never trousered any money for themselves. Very small houses in culaville and south Armagh - no evidence of graft there! What could be more corrupt than enriching yourself while sending volunteers out to do your dirty work?

Agreed that FF bought into the GFA. However, we didn't spend 30 years embittering every single unionist in the 6 counties did we? Admittedly most of them could never be persuaded anyway but what few could have been seriously turned off by the campaign. fighting for another 25 years for less than was available at Sunningdale was both stupid and a stunning waste of lives and volunteers.

Saturday night crowd in the sticks? Most Wolfe Tones fans I know are of the Celtic jersey wearing, SF armchair republican fraternity. And the sticks are generally full to the brim with trendy west Belfast urbanites on Saturday nights!

[Odyessus]

With the imminent demise of the Progressive Democrats, the Greens and the Stalingrad like blow inflicted on Sinn Fein that leaves Ireland with a 2 1/2 party system. But given the age profile of the Labour party and their stale policies It is difficult to see a long term future for them.
In contrast both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are better funded than ever before, have decent age profiles and slick organisational structures. With this in mind could we be facing into a two party state in the near future?

If Defeated's musings turn out to be true I have one word and one word only COUP!

I have another word for you: VOTE!

[PatMcL]

newbie,

'Brown envelopes and graft! Ah the standard response of the embittered political hack.'

The evidence of many a tribunal backs that charge up, are you denying FF ar corrupt?

'Very small houses in culaville and south Armagh - no evidence of graft there! What could be more corrupt than enriching yourself while sending volunteers out to do your dirty work?'

Unlike those who led FF I have never asked anyone to do dirty work.

'Agreed that FF bought into the GFA.'

Therefore, to quote yourself, FF bought into the Unionist veto.

'However, we didn't spend 30 years embittering every single unionist in the 6 counties did we?'

No, unionist merely see FF as the people who supplied the arms that led to them being embittered.

'Admittedly most of them could never be persuaded anyway but what few could have been seriously turned off by the campaign. fighting for another 25 years for less than was available at Sunningdale was both stupid and a stunning waste of lives and volunteers.'

Could have been turned off by the campaign FF supplied weapons for and contributed to the waste of lives?

'Saturday night crowd in the sticks? Most Wolfe Tones fans I know are of the Celtic jersey wearing, SF armchair republican fraternity. And the sticks are generally full to the brim with trendy west Belfast urbanites on Saturday nights! '

Once again, an association with the Tones. My goodness your detail on the North you hope to conquer is sadly and predictably awry. BTW West Belfast urbanites will always be willing to spend a few quid on our New Irish Polish comrades.

[newbie12]

'Brown envelopes and graft! Ah the standard response of the embittered political hack.'

The evidence of many a tribunal backs that charge up, are you denying FF ar corrupt?

Yup. There were a few corrupt individuals in the 80's and early 90's who are now gone. A shameful period in the party's history but is now over. Sound familiar?


'Very small houses in culaville and south Armagh - no evidence of graft there! What could be more corrupt than enriching yourself while sending volunteers out to do your dirty work?'

Unlike those who led FF I have never asked anyone to do dirty work.

Never said you personally just some senior members of your party.


'Agreed that FF bought into the GFA.'

Therefore, to quote yourself, FF bought into the Unionist veto.

not actually a quote but you've got the gist correct. Presumes this means you're accepting that SF accepted the veto too?


'However, we didn't spend 30 years embittering every single unionist in the 6 counties did we?'

No, unionist merely see FF as the people who supplied the arms that led to them being embittered.

Didn't realise you were able to speak for them! Can't really compare the supply of arms as a matter of self defence with a politically inept 30 year campaign of violence now can we? I somehow think the average unionist would choose to negotiate with the FF devil over the SF deep blue sea any day.


'Admittedly most of them could never be persuaded anyway but what few could have been seriously turned off by the campaign. fighting for another 25 years for less than was available at Sunningdale was both stupid and a stunning waste of lives and volunteers.'

Could have been turned off by the campaign FF supplied weapons for and contributed to the waste of lives?

SF's decision to engage in periodic bouts of sectarian killings and no warning bombings wasn't exactly our fault. don't think Blaney supplied any semtex.


'Saturday night crowd in the sticks? Most Wolfe Tones fans I know are of the Celtic jersey wearing, SF armchair republican fraternity. And the sticks are generally full to the brim with trendy west Belfast urbanites on Saturday nights! '

Once again, an association with the Tones. My goodness your detail on the North you hope to conquer is sadly and predictably awry. BTW West Belfast urbanites will always be willing to spend a few quid on our New Irish Polish comrades

somebody lacks a sense of humour. Didn't realise I was hoping to conquer my own province but there you go! I think the general point was that the armchair republicans you rightly despise in the south are more often than not your own party supporters.