The 10th Circle of Hell: Irish General Election 2020

[EOLAN]

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.

Oh yes; that is exactly what happens. A perfect encapsulation of the Judean's People Front phenomena in our left-wing politics. Becoming strongest enemies over minor fallouts - usually on a personal level depending on who gets selected to represent the party or to improve chances of retaining seat by breaking away from minor coalition partners when not offered a cabinet position.   

Most amazing thing that happened in Irish politics was when two major (central) Left-wing factions actually amalgamated - Democratic Left and Labour in the 90s rather than just having continual splits. Although DL were a bit overstretched financially with their relative level of success.

[Poirots BigGarlickyCorpse]

You have to be smart and funnel all your tiny left-wing party/independent candidate first/second preferences into Labour/Greens/Sinn Féin (whichever you prefer). 'Swhat I do.

[buttgammon]

Can't believe this isn't over yet, it's been even more interminable than I expected. First that awful bloke from SF with his racist, homophobic crap whining about someone (definitely not his mate the famous fighting rapist) getting blackmailed for having sex with a minor, now that weird FG woman saying Varadkar is autistic and opening a whole can of worms there.

[EOLAN]

Can't believe this isn't over yet, it's been even more interminable than I expected. First that awful bloke from SF with his racist, homophobic crap whining about someone (definitely not his mate the famous fighting rapist) getting blackmailed for having sex with a minor, now that weird FG woman saying Varadkar is autistic and opening a whole can of worms there.

I am in the strange position of as a supporter of the left-wing parties and quite anti the two ruling parties; I think that I am hoping for a coalition where Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have to form a proper government together. Think this is the only way to break the cycle of these parties holding power; when they are usually backed up by a smaller usually left-wing element that will then get hammered more at the following election while the main parties don't get hit as hard and may just swap power again.

[buttgammon]

I am in the strange position of as a supporter of the left-wing parties and quite anti the two ruling parties; I think that I am hoping for a coalition where Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have to form a proper government together. Think this is the only way to break the cycle of these parties holding power; when they are usually backed up by a smaller usually left-wing element that will then get hammered more at the following election while the main parties don't get hit as hard and may just swap power again.

I do agree, and I hope that would break the cycle, but I kind of thought the same thing about the confidence and supply agreement. A full coalition where both parties are under serious scrutiny would hopefully be different, though, not least because there wouldn't be a fall guy in the guise of the Greens, Labour etc.

[Poirots BigGarlickyCorpse]

My voting order shall be as follows: lunatic, hippy, communist, communist, terrorist, socialist and a girl one out of FF.

Ireland Simpsons Fans' best election take so far:

https://mobile.twitter.com/iresimpsonsfans/status/1222136906873548800

[king_tubby]

Sinn Féin leading the polls is pretty big. Will that translate in to actual seats?

[SteK]

I'm in Leo Varadkar's constituency, not received my polling card yet tho - I know I don't need it, I'm on the register (election, not sex offender) so I just turn up?

[Poirots BigGarlickyCorpse]

I'm in Leo Varadkar's constituency, not received my polling card yet tho - I know I don't need it, I'm on the register (election, not sex offender) so I just turn up?

Yeah you don't need your polling card although they got a bit snotty with me last time I didn't have it on account of it made it harder for them to find me on the register. Bring ID though just to be safe.

[SteK]

Yeah you don't need your polling card although they got a bit snotty with me last time I didn't have it on account of it made it harder for them to find me on the register. Bring ID though just to be safe.

I'll print my dets off voter.ie as well.....

[Poirots BigGarlickyCorpse]

Sinn Féin leading the polls is pretty big. Will that translate in to actual seats?

Oh they'll get seats but I doubt they'll be able to form a government. They were pretty adamant last time that they wouldn't enter a coalition with Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.

To me the current poll is a result of people being disillusioned with Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Labour Party (the other parties are too new or too small) and looking to Sinn Féin as the only credible alternative.

[buttgammon]

Am I right in thinking SF are only standing one candidate per constituency so even if they get them all elected, it's unlikely they will be the biggest party? It's going to be interesting to see how it pans out anyway.

[Poirots BigGarlickyCorpse]

Am I right in thinking SF are only standing one candidate per constituency so even if they get them all elected, it's unlikely they will be the biggest party? It's going to be interesting to see how it pans out anyway.

Yeah I think they only have 42 candidates. Total no. of TDs is 158. Remember though that they're an all-island party and the Executive is back up and running(?) or nearly there and I imagine that's the priority for the party right now. Besides it's much easier to sit in Opposition and build a following by bitching, rather than run the country. I also can't blame them for not wanting to go into coalition with FF or FG last time around, because the junior coalition party inevitably loses seats in the next election once FF/FG fuck everything up.

[EOLAN]

Sinn Féin leading the polls is pretty big. Will that translate in to actual seats?

Well if every candidate being put up wins a seat; they will have 42 TDs out of a parliament of 158. Already pointed out by Poirots above. There is a couple of constituency with 2 such as their recent success at a Bye-Election in Dublin Mid-West.
Fianna Fáil still likely to be largest party. Sinn Fein could either get with one of the big parties; or if at all possible could have an absolute mish-mash of several leftish-wing parties backed up by local issues independents.

Did Mary Lou suggest she would only go into Government with FF/FG if a border poll was guaranteed. Don't know if she should really want the Secretary of State of Northern Ireland in the UK Government to have control of who forms the Republic of Ireland Government.

[buttgammon]

I'm trying not to get my hopes up with the idea of a broad, left-wing coalition. It would be lovely, but someone would find some way to fuck it up somewhere. We are in a position where something has to give though. The centre cannot hold.

[SteK]

Got my polling card this morning, talk about last minute...

[EOLAN]

Got my polling card this morning, talk about last minute...

Registered at my old house. Nice beach near there so may drive up and take my dog for a walk and then see if we can vote. Although he mightn't be registered himself.

Was a new poster up locally for a candidate from the Irish Freedom Party that I never knew of before. Seems to be suggesting you are ready for a beating if you don't vote for him. So only about 30 people in the constituency who are safe. Finally a poster that looks more sinister than ones with just Sean Haughey's face.

https://twitter.com/IrexitFreedom/status/1221891487601963010/photo/1

[buttgammon]

Registered at my old house. Nice beach near there so may drive up and take my dog for a walk and then see if we can vote. Although he mightn't be registered himself.

Was a new poster up locally for a candidate from the Irish Freedom Party that I never knew of before. Seems to be suggesting you are ready for a beating if you don't vote for him. So only about 30 people in the constituency who are safe. Finally a poster that looks more sinister than ones with just Sean Haughey's face.

https://twitter.com/IrexitFreedom/status/1221891487601963010/photo/1

He did a party political broadcast once - possibly for the European elections - in which he smashed a flimsy wall with that hurley. Very odd man! Perhaps not as odd as the guy here in Dublin South West who wants to establish a United ireland under the British monarchy, while introducing a kind of marriage that doesn't allow for divorce, although that guy has the advantage of not threatening you in his campaign materials.

I'll be heading out to vote soon. Get out there today and use your transfers wisely. This could be really  close!

[Glebe]

Just back from voting. Wanna see this current shower of pricks gone.

[SteK]

He did a party political broadcast once - possibly for the European elections - in which he smashed a flimsy wall with that hurley. Very odd man! Perhaps not as odd as the guy here in Dublin South West who wants to establish a United ireland under the British monarchy, while introducing a kind of marriage that doesn't allow for divorce, although that guy has the advantage of not threatening you in his campaign materials.

I'll be heading out to vote soon. Get out there today and use your transfers wisely. This could be really  close!

When on at 3 Arena in Dubs, I heard Jimmy Carr said to the audience, "I want to see a United Ireland" to a cacophony of cheers but followed it up with "Under British rule"

[buttgammon]

Just been and voted. It looked quite busy, but mostly older people.

[SteK]

I've just voted, Dublin 15, hardly anyone there. Thought I'd nip to the Canal Bar on the Royal Canal (The Auld Triangle!) for a sly one and it's closed - refurbishment.

I actually fell into the canal last year, thought I was gonna die and no, I wasn't drunk

[NoOffenceLynn]

Just back from voting. Wanna see this current shower of pricks gone.

Me too Glebe, just back from casting my vote, I'm in D18, it was busy enough, a lot of people of all ages which was good to see.
It's usually right wing FG heartland.
I'd say the Greens will get the biggest boost here (also some more for SF) that's just from talking to my friends and locals, it seemed to be way the mood was going.
Shane Ross will probably get in again, but it would disappoint me to see Lettie McCarty of Labour get in again after her consistently hard line stance against social housing in this area, but then I don't think anyone believes that the current Labour Party has anything to do with the original principles it stood for.

[Poirots BigGarlickyCorpse]

Hope you all voted for hippies and communists!

[SteK]

Hope you all voted for hippies and communists!

I went:

1. SF
2. Greens
3. Labour

[Captain Poodle Basher]

but it would disappoint me to see Lettie McCarty of Labour get in again after her consistently hard line stance against social housing in this area, but then I don't think anyone believes that the current Labour Party has anything to do with the original principles it stood for.

No to mention Labour being all gung-ho for blaming the unemployed for crashing the Celtic Tiger. Some of us haven't forgotten. Not to mention that they're just as bad  for "Jobs For The Boys" as FF & FG any day of the week.

I'm in a traditional Labour ward in Cork South Central and haven't had a leaflet from Labour at all and hardly any posters up either.

I voted Social Democrat. I can't vote Green as they've crawled up the arse of every Nimby group in the greater Cork area and can go fuck themselves as a result. They don't even want to build on the brown field sites along the quays.

[EOLAN]

Hope you all voted for hippies and communists!

In not Iain news, I voted for Duncan Smith.

[Carpool Dragon]

Some drama in Galway city - the PBP candidate revealed to have abused a woman a year ago and has been suspended from the party. Apparently PBP were aware about it for months but didn't do anything about it. His brother and sister have also come out against him on social media. Weird that this didn't come to light til election day, alot of people unaware of the situation probably voted for him. Would would be... interesting if he ends up getting elected.

[SteK]

I know an Irish Citizen (who is not a British Citizen) can be PM of UK but does it work in reverse? And can a Brit without Irish Citizenship become a TD?

[SteK]

I know an Irish Citizen (who is not a British Citizen) can be PM of UK but does it work in reverse? And can a Brit without Irish Citizenship become a TD?

Google - you have to be an Irish citizen to be a TD, not sure about Taoiseach....