All Local Election seats filled: FF lose 84

[kerrynorth]

FF 218 -84
FG 340 +47
LAB 132 +31
SF 54 NC
GREEN 3 -15
OTHERS 136 +21

Losing 84 seats will also mean losing 5 Seanad seats in the next Oireachtas. That is the most obvious consequence, as well as being a bit player now in many local authorities. The FF stock in trade of local 'graft' to generate votes is now at risk in most Councils.

[jpc]

That is a near fatal undermining of their local base.
"Going forward" as the cliche would put it.

[revereie]

I will put my hand up and say that I knew we'd incur losses, but not to this heavy extent.

So where to from here? Well, I know some partry figures are suggesting radical change in the organisation - which is anyway required for the 21st century - but I do know of one prominent FGer who said that this doesn't necessarily reflect FFs true position in Irish politics.

(This guy went on to say that FG was similarly written-off over the years - swings-and-roundabouts etc - which gave me food-for-thought)

[kerrynorth]

I will put my hand up and say that I knew we'd incur losses, but not to this heavy extent.

So where to from here? Well, I know some partry figures are suggesting radical change in the organisation - which is anyway required for the 21st century - but I do know of one prominent FGer who said that this doesn't necessarily reflect FFs true position in Irish politics.

(This guy went on to say that FG was similarly written-off over the years - swings-and-roundabouts etc - which gave me food-for-thought)

I'd move to one member one vote in candidate selection. It has worked wonders for FG on the ground since it was introduced. The interview method has been an utter failure because there is no local buy in to that process as well as none of the excitement and publicity that a convention can generate. The interview process was the incorrect response to the delegate system which was open to manipulation by local TD's. Move to OMOV in candidate selection if you want to survive.

[Keith-M]

As bad as this is, it is not as bad as the polls predicted. The by-elections and the Eoin Ryan loss are far worse hits for the party. Might the projected loss of Senate seats hasten reform or (better still) abolition?

[seabhac siulach]

That is a near fatal undermining of their local base.
"Going forward" as the cliche would put it.

A lot done, more to do...

[myk]

As bad as this is, it is not as bad as the polls predicted. The by-elections and the Eoin Ryan loss are far worse hits for the party. Might the projected loss of Senate seats hasten reform or (better still) abolition?

But weren't the headline poll figures all about how people would vote in a general election, and not how they would vote in local and European elections?

[Keith-M]

But weren't the headline poll figures all about how people would vote in a general election, and not how they would vote in local and European elections?

No, both MRBI and Red C ran specific polls on the local elections in the weekend before the vote. One gave FF 20%, one gave them 18%.

[Ecoguy]

The FF stock in trade of local 'graft' to generate votes is now at risk in most Councils.

Don't worry, FG will fill any void in that area

[kerrynorth]

With the Taoiseach's nominees, assuming FF are not in power after the next election, means that the FF safety net of the Seanad to build for the retaking of lost Dail seats will be down no less than 13 seats: 5 through the Panels and 8 Taoiseach's nominees (I am excluding Eoghan Harris in this calculation). There are a number of 'luxury' FF Senators like Mary White, Geraldine Feeney etc who will not get re-elected. FF will have to be ruthless in who they elect to the next Seanad, just as FG did in 2002.