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The 10th Circle of Hell: Irish General Election 2020

Started by buttgammon, January 15, 2020, 01:36:49 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

buttgammon

Welcome to an interminable month of soundbites, tedious television debates and minor controversies. The posters are already up here, meaning we're already well in campaigning mode.

The obvious thing to watch out for will be a shift in the balance between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, but it will still be interesting to see how the other parties do. The Greens did really well in the European elections, and it'll be interesting to see if they can keep that momentum. Sinn Féin seem to be in the same position as ever, slightly too far on the margins to really do anything, but the changing dynamics caused by Brexit might make people more amenable to republican ideas than they would've been in the last general election. Then there's the mix of smaller left-wing parties, Labour, and a whole spectrum of independents running the gamut from mostly sane to completely and utterly mad.

There's so many factors that could affect things, even down to the numbers of candidates parties run in each seat. Last time, Fianna Fáil pulled off an upset to top the poll here, because they only ran one candidate and concentrated their vote; Fine Gael ran three and only got one elected because they split the vote. I wouldn't be surprised to see them each run two this time. I don't expect anything to break the two-party system, sadly, but I'm hoping the embarrassment of the confidence and supply agreement that held the last Dáil will at least make people reconsider their allegiances, and realise they're two versions of the same thing. Every election, a Twitter graphic does the rounds that shows them and Labour as three different incarnations of Mr Burns, which looks about right to me.

This election couldn't have been called at a worse time for Fine Gael - the "lets commemorate the Black and Tans" has really cemented how out of touch with regular people they are. On the other hand the economy is good, unemployment is low and Leo has dealt with Brexit very well so far, all could be in their favour to not lose too many seats.

If pushed I'd say no majority with a FG/Greens coalition (the Greens will gain from growing worry about climate change, people have short memories about their last stint in power). Labour will gain a little bit but still largely fucked. Sinn Fein to retain most of their seats. The Healy-Raes will be re-elected again and we can finally begin a "build the wall" campaign around Kerry.

I really wish Vincent Browne was still on the air though.

buttgammon

RTÉ are planning on holding a head-to-head debate with Varadkar and Martin. I rarely watch RTÉ and find their schedules normally look fairly shit, but this is atrocious even for them! Understandably, the other parties aren't happy, and worst case scenario for RTÉ is this becomes a big fuss like the debate about the debates in the last British election.

Quote from: Carpool Dragon on January 15, 2020, 01:48:21 PM
This election couldn't have been called at a worse time for Fine Gael - the "lets commemorate the Black and Tans" has really cemented how out of touch with regular people they are. On the other hand the economy is good, unemployment is low and Leo has dealt with Brexit very well so far, all could be in their favour to not lose too many seats.

If pushed I'd say no majority with a FG/Greens coalition (the Greens will gain from growing worry about climate change, people have short memories about their last stint in power). Labour will gain a little bit but still largely fucked. Sinn Fein to retain most of their seats. The Healy-Raes will be re-elected again and we can finally begin a "build the wall" campaign around Kerry.

I really wish Vincent Browne was still on the air though.

It really could go either way for them. Interesting you mention a possible FG-Green government - if I had to make a prediction, I'd say an FF-Green coalition. If they can keep the ground they've gained in the last year or so, they have a good chance of holding the balance of power (SF will probably have more seats but nobody would work with them, of course).

Dewt

Seems racist for this thread to abut the potato waffle one.

SteK

As a Brit living in Dubs, 89fm.com (ok, not the go-to source for info) here on say that only Irish Citizens are allowed to vote, I don't think that's true as a Brit I can vote in most elections, but not Presidential elections or Referendums.

voter.ie is down and has been for ages...

I want to vote Sinn Fein to annoy my brother (he's anti Corbyn cos he's an IRA sympathisers apparently) plus I am a socialist anyway. In any case the Original/Old IRA are effectively Fine Gael now aren't they?

EDIT: voter.ie back up and....



buttgammon

Quote from: SteK on January 15, 2020, 07:27:03 PM
As a Brit living in Dubs, 89fm.com (ok, not the go-to source for info) here on say that only Irish Citizens are allowed to vote, I don't think that's true as a Brit I can vote in most elections, but not Presidential elections or Referendums.

You're totally eligible to vote in this election - as you say, it's just presidential elections and referendums we're not eligible to vote in. I'm also a Brit in Dublin and I was erroneously given a polling card for the last presidential election, but I think they must've mistakenly put them down as Irish on the electoral register.

peanutbutter

A rather awkward FF/Greens ticket as a result of gains outside of the cities due to an accumulation of disgruntlement with the current government over shit like the carbon tax on petrol and plans to curtail turf cutting would be my guess

buttgammon

Took a ride on the red line earlier and fuck me, that's a lot of posters!

Does anyone know if FF are running two candidates in Dublin South-West?

EOLAN

Quote from: buttgammon on January 16, 2020, 07:56:47 PM
Took a ride on the red line earlier and fuck me, that's a lot of posters!

Does anyone know if FF are running two candidates in Dublin South-West?

Ah my old constituency. 3 Fianna Failers I believe.

Just getting the urge to do my Charles Haughey/ Scrap Saturday impression should young Sean Haughey campaign. He has the most sinister conniving look in his posters.

And  Fianna Fail Michael Martin skipped me in a queue at Cashel Service station before realising the errors of his ways with a potential voter and looking to step back. I preferred making him briefly live with the guilt and regret and insisted he stay skipping me.

buttgammon

Three! They only ran John Lahart last time but I saw posters for Charlie O'Connor earlier, so it was clear they were running at least two candidates.

BlodwynPig

Applying for a job in Dublin today - let me know which result would be best to ensure a happy Ireland

EOLAN

Quote from: BlodwynPig on January 17, 2020, 07:02:43 AM
Applying for a job in Dublin today - let me know which result would be best to ensure a happy Ireland

People will moan about the homeless and hospitals but vote for the party they feel will tax them less ( and help build a nice road near their house).

NoOffenceLynn

I'm in Dublin18 and have mix including the ridiculous Shane Ross, Green Party Catherine Martin and a typical Fine Galer whose name I cannot remember.
Wouldn't mind seeing another Green candidate or Sinn Fein get in.



SteK

Quote from: BlodwynPig on January 17, 2020, 07:02:43 AM
Applying for a job in Dublin today - let me know which result would be best to ensure a happy Ireland

Dublin is the most expensive place on Earth!

When I worked in Copenhagen I earnt more, was taxed less and spent less. Fucking bored though...

Plastic bags are 72 cents
Lemsips 8 Euro a box of 10
Aspirins etc, 4 Euro a box

Don't start me on Motor Tax AND getting to pay tolls....

NoOffenceLynn

Quote from: SteK on January 17, 2020, 10:36:29 AM
Vote Taytos
Vote King

Taytos always win, particularly if they are between 2 slices of bread.

King leave an onion taste on your breath (no matter how many times you brush your teeth)for the rest of the week. Also too salty.

BlodwynPig

Quote from: SteK on January 17, 2020, 10:39:10 AM
Dublin is the most expensive place on Earth!

When I worked in Copenhagen I earnt more, was taxed less and spent less. Fucking bored though...

Plastic bags are 72 cents
Lemsips 8 Euro a box of 10
Aspirins etc, 4 Euro a box

Don't start me on Motor Tax AND getting to pay tolls....

Nice city though

Shoulders?-Stomach!

Quote from: BlodwynPig on January 17, 2020, 10:58:13 AM
Nice city though

It's a good night out and there are some attractions for an enjoyable long weekend but for a capital city it's a bit underwhelming. If it was in England it would be Newcastle/Liverpool tier.

buttgammon

Quote from: SteK on January 17, 2020, 10:39:10 AM
Dublin is the most expensive place on Earth!

When I worked in Copenhagen I earnt more, was taxed less and spent less. Fucking bored though...

Plastic bags are 72 cents
Lemsips 8 Euro a box of 10
Aspirins etc, 4 Euro a box

Don't start me on Motor Tax AND getting to pay tolls....

I stock up on over the counter medication when I'm back in Britain. Because I wasn't sure how Brexit was going to affect things, I brought over about 40 boxes of 12p paracetamol last year. Does anybody know why it's so expensive here? The cost of living is high but it seems crazily out of line with the prices of other things, plus there's a big pharmaceutical industry here too.

Buelligan


SteK

Quote from: buttgammon on January 17, 2020, 12:40:24 PM
I stock up on over the counter medication when I'm back in Britain. Because I wasn't sure how Brexit was going to affect things, I brought over about 40 boxes of 12p paracetamol last year. Does anybody know why it's so expensive here? The cost of living is high but it seems crazily out of line with the prices of other things, plus there's a big pharmaceutical industry here too.

Me too! Trouble is you're only allowed two boxes at a time, I send the kids, neighbours several time as well as myself to stock up. Also Warburtons Crumpets, but I need a plan for how to get Carr's frozen unbaked pasties over, and Hollands pies and puddings.

NoOffenceLynn

Also you will get a warning/lecture when buying Nurofen Plus (because it contains codeine) for period pain or just a headache. Cause you might become a Zammo style smackhead overnight, from 2 tablets.


Meanwhile the Dail Bar, with one of the most addictive and abused substances in Ireland, is subsided by the Irish Tax payer.




jobotic

I wasn't allowed ibuprofen in Poland, presumably because I couldn't understand the questions that were being asked of me so didn't give the right answers.

I have a Zywiec caused hangover - this is your fault.

buttgammon

Quote from: SteK on January 17, 2020, 01:25:42 PM
Me too! Trouble is you're only allowed two boxes at a time, I send the kids, neighbours several time as well as myself to stock up. Also Warburtons Crumpets, but I need a plan for how to get Carr's frozen unbaked pasties over, and Hollands pies and puddings.

I go around every shop in the town centre and the supermarkets I can reach on foot - that really stacks up, although there is a concern that someone would spot what I was doing and think I was very diligently trying to kill myself.

SteK

Quote from: buttgammon on January 17, 2020, 07:19:04 PM
I go around every shop in the town centre and the supermarkets I can reach on foot - that really stacks up, although there is a concern that someone would spot what I was doing and think I was very diligently trying to kill myself.

Then get stopped by the Garda at Dublin Port and arrested a drug dealer....

buttgammon

Quote from: SteK on January 17, 2020, 09:07:06 PM
Then get stopped by the Garda at Dublin Port and arrested a drug dealer....

I get the plane but you have a point!

buttgammon

Peter Casey's standing in Dublin West and Donegal (didn't know that was allowed until now). This is probably going to become another long advert for an obnoxious wanker, just like the last presidential
election campaign.

Also, the horrendous National Party have put loads of posters in my area, featuring the ugliest political candidate I've ever seen. In fairness to him, I'd hate the world if I looked like that.

EOLAN

Quote from: buttgammon on January 22, 2020, 04:03:42 PM
Peter Casey's standing in Dublin West and Donegal (didn't know that was allowed until now). This is probably going to become another long advert for an obnoxious wanker, just like the last presidential
election campaign.

Also, the horrendous National Party have put loads of posters in my area, featuring the ugliest political candidate I've ever seen. In fairness to him, I'd hate the world if I looked like that.

Had a brief read of their website. I am sure that Barrett fella tugs himself at night imagining that he is the reincarnation of Padraig Pearse.
At least there is something on the far-right available at least. Used to be the old Christian Solidarity Party that would be lucky to break 30 votes in any constituency.
Of course on the seeming left we're spoiled. Between Labour, the Greens, the Solidarity Party, the Socialist Party, People Before Profit, Sinn Féin, the Workers Party, the Social Democrats etc... sure tis plenty of choice.
Of course still a straight shoot-out between tried and not trusted Fianna Fail and Fine Gael of course to who holds the power. 

buttgammon

I worry we may be a bit too spoilt for choice and the vote gets split. I know the voting system should stop things like vote splitting, but it can definitely happen depending on how people assign preferences. There's also sheer bad organisation; for example, Solidarity are standing a candidate against Paul Murphy here in Dublin South-West, despite the fact that he's clearly a kindred spirit and comes from the same PBP-AAA-Solidarity-RISE family.