The problem is, a list system would just transfer the target of the cute hoor posturing away from the electorate and towards the party activists. There’s only one way to root out corruption, and that’s for the public not to tolerate it and not to vote for it.

FF are really in shit. I know it’s a mid-term opinion poll, but the upsurge in non-traditional voters voting for perceived economic competence in the late 1990s and early 2000s has hidden the fracturing of FF’s traditional base. FF’s trouble is if they are out of power for a couple of terms, what’s really sustaining them?

But be realistic, left wing policies did not fuel the growth in Irish exports to over €100 Billion p.a. (25% of the total exports for the UK, with 7% of the population). Left wing policies did not build the IFSC, or Ireland’s IT, pharamaceutical industries. Left wing policies did not attract the huge levels of Foreign Direct Investment that were critical to our success.

With a high salaries in the public sector, the traditional left have nowhere to go, but raise taxes to pay high wages. This will not position Ireland for recovery.

Those of you who want to see a united Ireland, let’s be clear, a SF / Labour coalition could set that goal back decades if not longer…

quite right we could do with some good, honest, hardworking Prods to give the country the right balance.

dunreavynomore,

in general SF policies are to the left.

Perhaps an admission that an the Irish Republic that Sammy wants to join isn’t quite the land of milk and honey

close…just one letter out – substitute F for S.

It is a dreadful thing to say but the poeple who have helped to lead us into this mess may be sitauted to lead us out – as mentioned above it may well be much wasier for right wing party to do what is required. If the Labour get into power with a right party e.g. Labour/FG – this is a will benefit the left wing party on the outside which in this case is SF.

If Gilmore has the wit – and the evidence suggests he has – then he can front runner by the end of the year.

SF are in a dead end. After all, in what way can they blame the Brits for the crisis?

its good politics by Grizzly irrespective of whether he wants or thinks Labour party will run with a getting together – you must be seen to be doing the right thing in times-like-these.

Ollie,

I have little doubt that pissing-on-the-plain-people-of-Ireland would not be a problem for political parties if they get into power but I think it has differnet implications if you are left or right wing.

If you are right wing then people know what they are getting and what to expect when they get soaked and the people who can afford it
are urine-resistant but when a left wing party pisses on its own then the smell of urine is the smell of betrayal – and that next time round may not be forgotten.

And FG/Labour are traditionally the people who administer that medicine. (To their own determent.)

“I hear the Greens are going to debate a ‘grand coaltion’ …”

Pity the poor Greens, they are honest folk but will they be forgiven for lying down with FF?

A grand coalition would be the most favorable solution to perennial strife the southern politics (viz. two essentially identical parties). In a genuine grand coalition it would be impossible to say deny to Sinn Féin a seat at cabinet if they had 10% of the vote, but that would be unimaginable 90% to the southern electorate and party hacks. Two Civil War parties are damaging enough, and the decision has long been made a third will not be entertained.

In the long term can we learn from this horrible experience that the cute whore is not the clever way to vote? (Good bye PRSTV? Hello, a party list system? Or even party list the Seanad?)

FG/Labour is it. Greens, I’m sorry (as a former member and an admirer), but you lied down with the devil.

That has traditionally been the case BUT…

Potentially very damaging for Labour and benefical for SF – difficult medicine needs to be adminstered to the plain people of Ireland – much easier if you are left wing, to be outside the tent pissing in on the government than inside the tent pissing out on the people.

Northern leadership is removed…

Anyone with a titter of wit would see a FG/Lab government coming out of current polling trends.

Some shinners delude themselves with this ‘progressive’ coalition idea since it has now been floated by Adams.

Though I hear the Greens are going to debate a ‘grand coaltion’ motion at their Ard Fheis next week (was it submitted by a nordie?) so SF aren’t the only ones flapping around trying to find the best way to deal with the current malestrom.

And that is what stands in the way.

“So a Labour/SF coalition looking more likley by the day …”

No. Not even remote. Again: No.