Labour - really serious contenders?

[Spudulika]

Not really a valid argument for not having properly detailed and budgeted policies. But the idea that FG's policies are detailed and budgeted is equally laughable. Sadly, there's isn't a party in Ireland with a valid policy document.

No party will readily reveal it's plans and policies fully in opposition, and would be extremely stupid to do so. It would be like asking Sean Connor to publish his tactics and team selection in depth before the fixture list is known. The party who readily throws out it's policies when they don't know if they'll have a chance to carry them to fruition will never get into government. How many times have we seen FF steal FG plans or suggestions and wrap them in a green flag and fly it as their own? So being vague (yes we can etc) and putting on absolutely non-sensical "leader debates" just won't work, the charade that is the US debates show this.

[dahamsta]

Well, if you want to put your trust in vague policies, that's your lookout. Don't come crying to Foot.ie when they crystallise later though, because we'll point you back here and that'll be an end to the discussion for you.

TBH, I think if that's your accepted view of politics, you shouldn't be here in the first place. Your local newsstand will have a handy copy of the Star to occupy you.

[mypost]

Why the feck was this trip planned for when the Dail was sitting? They've just been out for three months FFS! While it's probably better that MC be allowed to attend it rather than cancel at short notice, the important point of ministers being accountable to the Dail remains. Basic respect for parliament is something that all parties could do a lot better on.

Accountable to the Dail and respect for parliament haven't existed for years. We must be one of the last parliaments in Europe to start it's new term, the shortest working week, and the one with the longest holidays. The committees have been back since September 1st ffs.

On today's developments though, it seems to me that Labour are keen to keep FF in power a bit longer. We need an election and a new government, and whatever helps to bring that about can't come soon enough.

[Dodge]

On today's developments though, it seems to me that Labour are keen to keep FF in power a bit longer

Thats a fairly simplistic reading of it. Labour aren't just anti FF. There are other thigns in play, and tbh they've pulled a masterstroke

[Macy]

Accountable to the Dail and respect for parliament haven't existed for years. We must be one of the last parliaments in Europe to start it's new term, the shortest working week, and the one with the longest holidays. The committees have been back since September 1st ffs.

Don't disagree, and FF are the kings of launching policy in press conferences not in the Dail. This year was the longest summer recess ever!

On today's developments though, it seems to me that Labour are keen to keep FF in power a bit longer. We need an election and a new government, and whatever helps to bring that about can't come soon enough.

But today wasn't going to bring the Government down - she just wasn't going to go. FG have long been too easy on pairing (particularly letting Ahern swan around making thousands on speaking engagements) - typical of them to score an own goal though. FF also seem to be screwing up by making excuses for not taking up Labours offer.

[Mr A]

At this stage, you really have to wonder whether there is any situation that FG couldn't make a balls of. They took a perfectly good idea and made themselves look stupid by their implementation of it, and are already backing down today.

And coming immediately after they accused Labour of only attacking and adding nothing of substance, to set them up to be the party who puts country before petty squabbles was just terrible, terrible politics.

[bennocelt]

In my experience most people have a far better understanding of the situation that they're given credit for.

By voting in a clearly bent FF 3 times!!!!

[Dodge]

Most people have not voted in FF.

[OneRedArmy]

If you understand the situation clearly, chose not to vote, then you really don't deserve the chance to complain about the Government as much as those who voted against the status quo IMO.

[Dodge]

If you understand the situation clearly, chose not to vote, then you really don't deserve the chance to complain about the Government as much as those who voted against the status quo IMO.

Agreed. However the majority of people who voted, did not vote for FF.

Personally, although I'd love to see FF fall, I couldn't have voted for FG solely to see that happen. My vote went elsewhere.

[Macy]

If you understand the situation clearly, chose not to vote, then you really don't deserve the chance to complain about the Government as much as those who voted against the status quo IMO.

Of those that voted, FF only got 41% of the vote.

Off topic - I don't think this Government has ever actually had 50.1% of the vote, including Greens, PD's and Independents - even with the comfortable majority it had at the start. The number of 3 and 4 seaters reduces the proportionality of our system.

[OneRedArmy]

Agreed. However the majority of people who voted, did not vote for FF.

Personally, although I'd love to see FF fall, I couldn't have voted for FG solely to see that happen. My vote went elsewhere.

Of those that voted, FF only got 41% of the vote.

Off topic - I don't think this Government has ever actually had 50.1% of the vote, including Greens, PD's and Independents - even with the comfortable majority it had at the start. The number of 3 and 4 seaters reduces the proportionality of our system.

The Government is elected by those who vote for it and those who don't vote at all.

We can get very philosophical on this and get into what the value of a single vote is, but that statement IMO holds.

I don't think we're disagreeing btw.

[Fr Damo]

Off topic - I don't think this Government has ever actually had 50.1% of the vote, including Greens, PD's and Independents - even with the comfortable majority it had at the start. The number of 3 and 4 seaters reduces the proportionality of our system.

Could you replace this with any?

Gilmore was pressed and pressed by morning Ireland this morning with tepid argument on how smug labour must feel with this? So bloody what RTE? They also asked him to reiterate his stance re FF and the next election. Could we have a National Governemnt by default with the big three on 30% each by time the people vote?

[Macy]

1992 FF-Labour had nearly 60% of the vote. Obviously 30% of the vote doesn't necessarily mean an even spread of seats, but it would mean any two from three. FF and FG "in the national interest"?

[mypost]

Of those that voted, FF only got 41% of the vote.

Off topic - I don't think this Government has ever actually had 50.1% of the vote, including Greens, PD's and Independents - even with the comfortable majority it had at the start.

They don't need 50%, they simply need more than the combined FG-Lab vote. If it's less than the combined FG-Lab vote, FF are out of office.

Hasn't happened since 1982 though. FF won the most individual seats then, but the combined FG-Lab seats was more than FF.

[Mr A]

Irish Times Poll:

The figures for party support when the undecided voters are excluded, compared with the last Irish Times poll on June 11th last, were: Fianna Fáil, 24 per cent (up three points); Fine Gael, 24 per cent (down three points); Labour, 33 per cent (up four points); Sinn Féin, 8 per cent (down two points); Green Party, 2 per cent (down two points); and Independents/ Others, 9 per cent (no change).

[Spudulika]

Well, if you want to put your trust in vague policies, that's your lookout. Don't come crying to Foot.ie when they crystallise later though, because we'll point you back here and that'll be an end to the discussion for you.

TBH, I think if that's your accepted view of politics, you shouldn't be here in the first place. Your local newsstand will have a handy copy of the Star to occupy you.

Maybe it's too many rounds on your wheel, or the little pellets they feed you, but if I were to depend on net warriors for political direction I think we'd all have a problem. Maybe you don't understand how politics work, but no party is going to explicitly outline it's policies to the mass public, and there are a multitude of reasons for it. Policies that are set in stone are going to be used as a stick to beat you with, it's life, you need to adapt, change and know that in the public eye you'll be hammered for not achieving what you stated in the first place - New Labour's little book saw to that in the last UK election.

And your honesty, though valued, really has no place when it's used as an insult without even scant humour attached. TBF.

[Mr A]

That latest poll is a massive kick in the balls for FG. To find themselves level with FF is astonishing. FF may have to some extent benefited from the Dail Recess but it's still an absolutely shocking result.

I'm beginning to wonder if people are starting to view FG and FF as essentially the same at this stage.

[Dodge]

Which backs up my point that people are smarter than they're being given credit for.

[dahamsta]

Like I said Spudulika, if you trust a party that won't tell you there policies, that's your lookout. But that precludes your right to complain about them not implementing anything here.

You're everything I dislike about the Irish electorate. Accept mediocrity, complain afterwards, don't do anything about it.