What effect have Sinn Féin? A benefit/drawback for No side?

[TheJudge]

I'm not sure if this has been discussed on here before, apologies if so and feel free to close mods.

With SF support hovering around %6-9, are they really a benefit to the NO side? The amount of apolitical people who I've heard say "I'm voting Yes because I wont be told what to do by Gerry Adams!" or "Sinn Féin are against it? Yes it is, then." is amazing. I'm not trolling or attempting to agitate any SF supporters and obviously this is the daftest of reasons to vote yes but it does seem to be quite a popular reason. It seems to me that if SF get for example %7 of the turnout to vote No at least as many will vote Yes due to SF.

[FamilyGuy]

Didnt matter in Nice 1. Not an issue in Lisbon either

[Catalpa]

IMO they have been a huge asset.

As the only political party in Leinster House to campaign against the Treaty they have given the NO side a political credibility it otherwise wouldn't have.

The question though ought to be the huge damage Kenny has done to FG as he dons a FF shirt and stands between their goalposts.

He really is the most clueless Opposition Leader in many a year.

and its costing FG Big Time! :P

[FamilyGuy]

IMO they have been a huge asset.

As the only political party in Leinster House to campaign against the Treaty they have given the NO side a political credibility it otherwise wouldn't have.

The question though ought to be the huge damage Kenny has done to FG as he dons a FF shirt and stands between their goalposts.

He really is the most clueless Opposition Leader in many a year.

and its costing FG Big Time! :P

Kenny seems totally out of depth

[Demotruk]

I'm glad they exist. I may have to vote for a euroskeptic party next general election, and they seem to be the only option(even if I share nothing else with them).

[Northsideguy]

SF are having a huge impact in delivering and motivating especially working class voters to actually come out and vote! They have given the NO side credibility as they are the only Dáil party opposing the ref.

[adamirer]

Just worried MLD will have a harder job of retaining their seat. Waiting for the day SF are actually in favour of something beyond the NI agenda (and not too embrasssed to properly advertise it).

Its a pity none of their TD's can carry the baton from Adams and MLD

[imokyrok]

IMO they have been a huge asset.

As the only political party in Leinster House to campaign against the Treaty they have given the NO side a political credibility it otherwise wouldn't have.

The question though ought to be the huge damage Kenny has done to FG as he dons a FF shirt and stands between their goalposts.

He really is the most clueless Opposition Leader in many a year.

and its costing FG Big Time! :P

So you think FG supporters would prefer for FG to oppose the treaty regardless of whether it is good or bad for Ireland and the EU? If they wanted pure political opportunism they'd vote FF.

[Catalpa]

IMO they have been a huge asset.

As the only political party in Leinster House to campaign against the Treaty they have given the NO side a political credibility it otherwise wouldn't have.

The question though ought to be the huge damage Kenny has done to FG as he dons a FF shirt and stands between their goalposts.

He really is the most clueless Opposition Leader in many a year.

and its costing FG Big Time! :P

So you think FG supporters would prefer for FG to oppose the treaty regardless of whether it is good or bad for Ireland and the EU? If they wanted pure political opportunism they'd vote FF.

FG voters are divided on the Treaty and on supporting a FF led Government when they know full well FF would hammer them if the roles were reversed.

I would not be too surprised if a lot of FG supporters don't make it to the polling booths on Thursday...

[TheJudge]

I think the credibility argument has a limited truth to it. Obviously if there was no party against the treaty then it would be very difficult for the No side so in that sense Sinn Féin were required but at the same time SF have gained a reputation of opposing almost everything so people tend to pay less attention than they perhaps would if it were a different party opposing the treaty.