Poll shows support for Fianna Fail has increased by five percent

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-n...t-1339858.html

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Support for Fianna Fail has increased by five percent in the latest Red C/ Sunday Business Post poll.


This poll, carried out a day after Bertie Ahern's shock announcement that he will resign on the 6th of May, shows an increase in support for Fianna Fáil of five percent to 40.

The poll comes as Tanaiste Brian Cowen prepares to take over the reigns from Bertie Ahern who will leave office in a matter of weeks.

Fine Gael is down two to 28% while Labour is unchanged at 11.

The Greens are up one to nine while Sinn Féin and the Independents are down three and two points respectively.

Those surveyed were also asked who would make a better Taoiseach.

63% said Brian Cowen while just 24% chose Enda Kenny.

Meanwhile 31% said they didn't want Bertie Ahern to resign but felt he had no option.

20% said they wanted Mr Ahern to go.

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Think it's time for Kenny to go.

I don't think Kenny should go. Look where FG were before him and look where they are now. Up 20 seats in the last election.

Arguably, he could have won the election if he had taken the McDowell approach of dismissing your rivals, instead of pushing his own agenda but I actually admire Kenny for not doing that. Do FG have anyone to replace him?

We really do deserve crooked leaders. How can FF increase 5%??? :confused:

FG would do well to focus on policies instead of personality.

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Originally Posted by pete

We really do deserve crooked leaders. How can FF increase 5%??? :confused:

FG would do well to focus on policies instead of personality.

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Interesting to here comments during the week that FF had potentially 3 or 4 people who could be Taoiseach. People don't even see Kenny as a potential Taoiseach. Richard Bruton would make a good leader.

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Originally Posted by Ringo

Richard Bruton would make a good leader.

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Cowen destroyed Bruton in televised debates running up to the election with his sheer bullish and coarse nature. Bruton is too timid in terms of presence and speech to be a credible FG leader and future Taoiseach. Perhaps John Deasy possess the personality to lead the party, he certainly thinks so. I can't see any election winning leaders in their stable at the moment or certainly any that I feel could do better than Kenny.

Anyway, I don't see why this recent poll is any particular indictment of Kenny's ability. FF were obviously going to gain a brief upsurge with the Taoiseach's resignation. The oncoming economic difficulties will give him ample opportunity to claw some of those points back. His own party only conceded two percentage points to FF.

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Originally Posted by pete

FG would do well to focus on policies instead of personality.

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Well, if it came down to policies, FF would have lost last time. Personality and charisma is just as important. Which Brian Cowen has none of.

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Originally Posted by Poor Student

Cowen destroyed Bruton in televised debates running up to the election with his sheer bullish and coarse nature. Bruton is too timid in terms of presence and speech to be a credible FG leader and future Taoiseach. Perhaps John Deasy possess the personality to lead the party, he certainly thinks so. I can't see any election winning leaders in their stable at the moment or certainly any that I feel could do better than Kenny.

Anyway, I don't see why this recent poll is any particular indictment of Kenny's ability. FF were obviously going to gain a brief upsurge with the Taoiseach's resignation. The oncoming economic difficulties will give him ample opportunity to claw some of those points back. His own party only conceded two percentage points to FF.

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One could argue a leader having to resign, because of financial questions should give the opposition a bounce:confused:

Way too early to be making judgements on FF support - look at the bounce Brown got in the UK and where Labour are in the polls now. All the fawning coverage of Ahern and wall to wall FF would've been factors.

I think Cowen only beat Bruton in any debate if you didn't actually listen and just went on who shouted the loudest. It's the FF trick of shout down and interupt, and in Ireland that makes you a political heavywieght. Perhaps with a Paxman things would be kept in control, rather than lambs we have.

Kenny won't go until he suffers a bad election, and for all the critism he actually hasn't. No way can they dump him after a 20 seat gain, and for all the bluster, coming so close to pulling off the General Election. Poor European and Local elections, where FG are coming off a high base, will be the key. Should be Bruton, but it'll probably be Hayes.

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Originally Posted by Ringo

One could argue a leader having to resign, because of financial questions should give the opposition a bounce:confused:

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People (wrongly) feeling guilty about him going given the fawning TV coverage, and the likes of Harris and articles like what you linked to in the press. It's been wall to wall FF since the announcement, and a focus on the good things Ahern did, or was percieved to have done.

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Originally Posted by Macy

Way too early to be making judgements on FF support - look at the bounce Brown got in the UK and where Labour are in the polls now. All the fawning coverage of Ahern and wall to wall FF would've been factors.

I think Cowen only beat Bruton in any debate if you didn't actually listen and just went on who shouted the loudest. It's the FF trick of shout down and interupt, and in Ireland that makes you a political heavywieght. Perhaps with a Paxman things would be kept in control, rather than lambs we have.

Kenny won't go until he suffers a bad election, and for all the critism he actually hasn't. No way can they dump him after a 20 seat gain, and for all the bluster, coming so close to pulling off the General Election. Poor European and Local elections, where FG are coming off a high base, will be the key. Should be Bruton, but it'll probably be Hayes.


People (wrongly) feeling guilty about him going given the fawning TV coverage, and the likes of Harris and articles like what you linked to in the press. It's been wall to wall FF since the announcement, and a focus on the good things Ahern did, or was percieved to have done.

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Well pointed out Macy. I felt a bit sorry for FG after the debates. I never felt any credance of truth in any of the FF promises made, whilst a bit tacky, I actually thought the kenny offer of a contract to lead the country quite good.

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Originally Posted by Kingdom

Well pointed out Macy. I felt a bit sorry for FG after the debates. I never felt any credance of truth in any of the FF promises made, whilst a bit tacky, I actually thought the kenny offer of a contract to lead the country quite good.

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The continued support of Fianna Fail in this country has actually led to me giving serious thought to forming a group demanding British Home Rule be reinstated, I think we'd have a niche market, mainly Unionists and the Socialist Worker's Party (they'll support anything :))

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Originally Posted by jebus

The continued support of Fianna Fail in this country has actually led to me giving serious thought to forming a group demanding British Home Rule be reinstated, I think we'd have a niche market, mainly Unionists and the Socialist Worker's Party (they'll support anything :))

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Mrs Kingdom and myself were talking about parties the other day and I suggested the formation of a centralist party whose mandate is to fix the health system, do a jobbie on education and to make proper inroads on transport.
that was too wishy-washy for Mrs Kingdom.

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Originally Posted by Kingdom

Mrs Kingdom and myself were talking about parties the other day and I suggested the formation of a centralist party whose mandate is to fix the health system, do a jobbie on education and to make proper inroads on transport.
that was too wishy-washy for Mrs Kingdom.

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For me and all, I'm looking to bring Maggie Thatcher back as the new Taoiseach, at least we know where web stand with the Iron Lady :D