Red C poll: Sinn Fein stagnation continues?

[mccafferty cat]

One fact from the poll last weekend which jumped out at me - but which barely got a comment anywhere - was the fact that Sinn Fein only went up 1%, despite carnage for FF.

The General Election proved that FF and SF are pulling votes from the same pool - FF did well, and SF suffered badly. So now with FF having the worst opinion poll result in its history, SF fails to move an inch.

This is a remarkable failure on their part. If FG or Labour had such a bad outcome in the face of huge damage to FF, there would be credible calls for heads on platters.

How are SF continuing to fail, so miserably, to break beyond their 8-10% rut?? And more importantly, how are their leadership (and I mean McDonald, Caolain etc. as well as Adams) continuing in their roles - almost without question ?

[TradCat]

Sinn Fein have a credibility problem on the economy. They are not serious about it and are not taken seriously about it. So when the economy is the issue people are not going to turn to Sinn Fein.

[Kerrygold]

Do we seriously need another thread the opinion poll?

Or are you just trolling?

[mccafferty cat]

The other thread(s) focus overwhelmingly on FF, the budget, etc. I think this is deserving of a thread of its own.

The lack of progress that SF are making is a discreet topic in itself surely

[toxic avenger]

One fact from the poll last weekend which jumped out at me - but which barely got a comment anywhere - was the fact that Sinn Fein only went up 1%, despite carnage for FF.

The General Election proved that FF and SF are pulling votes from the same pool - FF did well, and SF suffered badly. So now with FF having the worst opinion poll result in its history, SF fails to move an inch.

This is a remarkable failure on their part. If FG or Labour had such a bad outcome in the face of huge damage to FF, there would be credible calls for heads on platters.

How are SF continuing to fail, so miserably, to break beyond their 8-10% rut?? And more importantly, how are their leadership (and I mean McDonald, Caolain etc. as well as Adams) continuing in their roles - almost without question ?

No, you're wrong. It is a consolidation of a trend whereby the Irish people are increasingly turning to Sinn Fein as a viable progressive alternative to the failed establishment parties, inspired by the visionary leadership of Gerry Adams and his talented team, but keep accidentally saying the wrong name when asked for their preference. Factual has said so. And I believe him, it's enough to know that the hearts of the people are with Sinn Fein, even if that doesn't translate into words or actions...

[adrem]

No, you're wrong. It is a consolidation of a trend whereby the Irish people are increasingly turning to Sinn Fein as a viable progressive alternative to the failed establishment parties, inspired by the visionary leadership of Gerry Adams and his talented team, but keep accidentally saying the wrong name when asked for their preference. Factual has said so. And I believe him, it's enough to know that the hearts of the people are with Sinn Fein, even if that doesn't translate into words or actions...

excellent summation

[bradán feasa]

I think SF’s modest gain in the poll is partially down to the airbrushing SF received during the budget/Medical card debacle.

Sinn Féin representatives were in attendance at all the public events, made strong statements condemning the governments targeting of the most vulnerable and made positive recommendations towards achievable solutions. Sinn Féin's support of the 'over 70s' was well received by the crowds. However these facts have been largely absent from broadcast news coverage.

Even in the print media SF is not getting the coverage that it deserves. I understand that Sinn Féin have only 4 TDs in the Dáil. However even if the Dáil is used as a yard stick Sinn Féin have not been receiving anywhere like the coverage they deserve. Contrast the air time given to Sinn Féin with the air time being given to the Greens, Labour and even the PDs.

Using Dáil representation is in it self a dubious yard stick. If Dáil representation is used exclusively it ignores local elections and European election results. It is also understood that our system of PR-STV skews Dáil representation away from smaller parties and towards larger parties. On any democratic scale this skew is problematic as it does not fairly apportion seats.

This system leads to political inertia as bigger established parties receive large bonuses. This system can also lead to frustration as sections of our communities go unrepresented while others are over represented.

Given the obvious democratic problems inherent in PR-STV it is hard to understand why a news medium would desire to replicate or even reinforce these serious faults. The only completely democratic and fair system to apportion airtime is by way of the vote received at the last election.

However some still apportion coverage using section 31 me thinks!

[Catalpa]

Where does one begin?

Trouble is SF is no longer the SF of times past.

Compare SF today with the Party in 1996 or even more to 1986!!!

No comparison!

The people who voted for them down here so as to keep solidarity with the armed struggle can no longer be bothered do so.

The people who voted for them because they put the Irish People First can no longer be bothered do so.

The people who voted for them because they would tax the rich to give to the less well off can no longer be bothered do so.

The people who voted for them because they were against FF hucksters and the likes of the Bankers can no longer be bothered do so.

SF is a Party that are doing a great job of turning off their own support base and committing suicide by a thousand self inflicted cuts....

IMO around the time of the first ceasefire a lot of middle class yuppies gained a foothold within the Party that have a strong, for want of a better term, 'liberal/lefty' agenda that was mildly nationalist (with a small 'n') and were committed to steering the Party towards the centre left (with a small 'l').

SF has peaked to all intents and purposes down here.

They are no longer have a Nationalist driven agenda and are no longer committed to the 'Ireland for the Irish' Principle.

They flunk any hard decisons - esp ones that might upset the PC Brigade.

I predicted well B4 the last GE that SF would flounder and IMO they will do well to hold their gains in the Locals next time out.

[Supermanpolitician]

Agree about SFs problem re credibility on serious issues. They have nobody credible people in the Dail and MlMcD is odds on to lose her MEP seat next time out.

[factual]

Where does one begin?

Trouble is SF is no longer the SF of times past.

Compare SF today with the Party in 1996 or even more to 1986!!!

No comparison!

The people who voted for them down here so as to keep solidarity with the armed struggle can no longer be bothered do so.

The people who voted for them because they put the Irish People First can no longer be bothered do so.

The people who voted for them because they would tax the rich to give to the less well off can no longer be bothered do so.

The people who voted for them because they were against FF hucksters and the likes of the Bankers can no longer be bothered do so.

SF is a Party that are doing a great job of turning off their own support base and committing suicide by a thousand self inflicted cuts....

IMO around the time of the first ceasefire a lot of middle class yuppies gained a foothold within the Party that have a strong, for want of a better term, 'liberal/lefty' agenda that was mildly nationalist (with a small 'n') and were committed to steering the Party towards the centre left (with a small 'l').

SF has peaked to all intents and purposes down here.

They are no longer have a Nationalist driven agenda and are no longer committed to the 'Ireland for the Irish' Principle.

They flunk any hard decisons - esp ones that might upset the PC Brigade.

I predicted well B4 the last GE that SF would flounder and IMO they will do well to hold their gains in the Locals next time out.

Arrant nonsense.