Can the PDs expand their base?

[FutureTaoiseach]

Following today's poll placing the PDs on 4% (+2), I thought it might be a good idea to discuss this question of whether McDowell can not only save the party from extinction (already seems to have achieved that) but whether he can expand into the territory of other parties demographically-speaking. I would be interested by the contrasting views on that of our resident politicos and members of which I am a proud one.

In particular, I would see opportunities for the PDs to snatch some of the FF vote. If things go belly-up for Bertie, they could reinforce their credentials as the "honest party" by publicly threatening withdrawal from the Coalition unless Bertie resigns or makes a fuller disclosure. They could then go into the next election on another "watchdog" ticket, committing themselves to neither FF or FG, but promising nonetheless to act as an anti-sleaze watchdog on the larger party(parties) they enter govt with, if any. This could help them expand their niche to include an "anti-sleaze" segment of the electorate. They could call into question FG's honest credentials by referring to Michael Lowry, portraying themselves as the sole "sleaze-free" party.

If they manage to force Bertie to either reveal all or resign, and choose to stay in the Coalition, then they could go into the 2007 on a platform of keeping Fianna Fáil honest, using these events as an example. This could actually attract some of the existing FF vote who want to see FF returned to power, but in a weakened position dependent on a party that will genuinely keep them on their best behaviour.

What do you think? Are they stuck on 4% or can they expand beyond niche territory? Can the FG voters who largely abandoned them in 1989 be won back with promises of a cleaner party unbeholden to socialist Coalition partners?

[BarryW]

Following today's poll placing the PDs on 4% (+2), I thought it might be a good idea to discuss this question of whether McDowell can not only save the party from extinction (already seems to have achieved that)

FT - have you become the TKWhiskers of the PDs?

A fortnight into his leadership and the PDs have returned to the miserable level of support achieved for ten years under Harney.....and already you say that the party's future is secure

[FutureTaoiseach]

Following today's poll placing the PDs on 4% (+2), I thought it might be a good idea to discuss this question of whether McDowell can not only save the party from extinction (already seems to have achieved that)

FT - have you become the TKWhiskers of the PDs?

A fortnight into his leadership and the PDs have returned to the miserable level of support achieved for ten years under Harney.....and already you say that the party's future is secure

Yes they have been in Dail Eireann for 20 continuous years longer I believe that any other small party. Irish politics needs the PDs. They are the only ones prepared to challenge the cosy consensus on certain issues. I think the doublying of party support in the polls raises the prospect of further expansion if they play their cards right. FG's drop of 2% in today's poll suggests they may have something to fear.

[Jim84]

If FG don't do well in this election are in opposition again, I think you are going see a steady drift towards the PD's rather than FG

[BarryW]

Irish politics needs the PDs

Not any more it doesn't. The PDs are now totally irrelevant to the result of the next election.

FF won't be able to get back in with them (they don't want to anyway)
FG/Labour/Greens have made their opinions known countless times. The advent of McDowell now makes any PD involvement on this side of the fence infinitely less likely (not that it was even a remote likelihood)

Sinn Fein are now far more relevant than the PDs. They could possibly put Ahern back in power (as desired by their Leadership, and Tipperary election candidates) and the number of TDs they get will obviously have an effect on the chances of FG/Labour getting the needed numbers.
Thankfully, the predictions of 14 seats have been debunked and it looks like the Shinners will be limtied to 8/10 max

Less relevant than the Shinners......and thats some embarassment

[FutureTaoiseach]

Irish politics needs the PDs

Not any more it doesn't. The PDs are now totally irrelevant to the result of the next election.

FF won't be able to get back in with them (they don't want to anyway)
FG/Labour/Greens have made their opinions known countless times. The advent of McDowell now makes any PD involvement on this side of the fence infinitely less likely (not that it was even a remote likelihood)

Sinn Fein are now far more relevant than the PDs. They could possibly put Ahern back in power (as desired by their Leadership, and Tipperary election candidates) and the number of TDs they get will obviously have an effect on the chances of FG/Labour getting the needed numbers.
Thankfully, the predictions of 14 seats have been debunked and it looks like the Shinners will be limtied to 8/10 max

Less relevant than the Shinners......and thats some embarassment

I predict that in the long-run, the PDs will reach SF's level of support in the polls. May I remind you they have 3 more TDs than SF on 3% fewer first-preferences.

The PD's are far from irrelevant. They are needed to challenge resurgent Marxism and the surrender of the Blueshirts to Socialist parties that will bring the economy back to the slumps we associate with previous FG govts that left us with 10%-18% unemployment and tens of thousands leaving the country every year, and doubling the national-debt. In the long-term many FGers may welcome a revival of the PDs, as it may allow for a more compatible electoral and governmental partnership that will allow the free-market instincts of many FGers to find some prospects of being implemented instead of eternally frustrated by dogooder leftists who do not share the enterprising ethos of a majority of Irish people.

[KeithM]

Following today's poll placing the PDs on 4% (+2), I thought it might be a good idea to discuss this question of whether McDowell can not only save the party from extinction (already seems to have achieved that)

FT - have you become the TKWhiskers of the PDs?

A fortnight into his leadership and the PDs have returned to the miserable level of support achieved for ten years under Harney.....and already you say that the party's future is secure

Yes they have been in Dail Eireann for 20 continuous years longer I believe that any other small party. Irish politics needs the PDs. They are the only ones prepared to challenge the cosy consensus on certain issues. I think the doublying of party support in the polls raises the prospect of further expansion if they play their cards right. FG's drop of 2% in today's poll suggests they may have something to fear.

I wouldn't get carried away just yet. However one month ago I was writing off the PDs and saying that the first step for them to make a combck was to change leader. That has been done very successfully, and unlike the last change, there's no blood on the floor.

Every leader tends to have a "honeymoon period" after taking the job. That combined with a very populist move on stamp duty has certainly helped the PDs this time out.

The good news is that longer term they certainly have things which could work in their favour. The Ahern revelations will only serve to remind people of FF misdoings of the past. If and when that is sorted out, there will still be the worry for some people coming from the fact that Ahern and Haughey were very close in the past.

However more beneficial is the stagnation of FG. The main opposition party now appears to be if anything going backwards in the polls, and even if it does stage a recovery it's hard to see them gaining anything like the 20 seats they need to lead an alternative government.

With a leader like Kenny who I believe is always likely to trail Ahern, they are simply not electable and if people don't think FG will get into government, it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. So while FG languish in opposition, the PDs will be seen as a party of government, a party that gets things done, and given a chance could add to their excellent record on tax reduction etc.

[Pidge]

They are needed to challenge resurgent Marxism ...

It's often been said that the PDs take votes from FG. So if FG fail to get into government this time round, I reckon that they'll be seen as increasingly less relevant, which could push votes to the PDs.

(Then again, that's not really based on anything, so I'm more than open to correction.)

[smiffy]

They are needed to challenge resurgent Marxism

Moron.

[FutureTaoiseach]

They are needed to challenge resurgent Marxism

Moron.

Trolling.