An Irish UKIP?

[culloty82]

With UKIP having secured a quarter of the English vote in Thursday's local elections, a similar showing in 2015 would force Miliband into a coalition with Clegg, and highlight growing British disillusionment with their political system. Similarly, rumblings of discontent within both FG and FF could well see up to a dozen TDs potentially breakaway and form a new conservative political party. Of course, whether the Dáil actually needs a third right-wing party is another matter, but growing euroscepticism, an appeal to Catholic values and raising issues over immigration and law and order, along with pledges to cut personal taxation would seem to fit a profitable political niche for prospective "Irish Tories".

[NeverFeltBetter]

They've (which seems to be mostly the Indo and anonymous party sources) have been hinting at a new party for yonks. Nothing ever comes of it.

[shantykelly]

Lose the civil war baggage and it might happen. Only real difference is FF is better at cute-hoorism.

[peadar1987]

Irish politics is probably too dominated by parish-pump "build me a bypass" localism for a party to position itself on national issues. When you compare our election campaigns to those in other countries, the lack of a national focus in ours is shocking.

[Sleepingpartner]

What he said.

[Spudulika]

Can't see Ireland moving away from the traditional sections (neatly divided into 5 - Rightwing Conservatives, Rightwing Conservatives, Rightwing Socialists, Middleground Socialists and All over the gaff - FG, FF, Lab, SF, Ind). The week before last I got a shock of a lifetime when I heard my Uncle, a lifetime FF voter, claiming that his party had not done so bad, especially compared to FG. When an intelligent and well travelled person tells you this, you know that its not going to change. Unless you're tieed up with one of the big 3 (FG, FF or Lab) you've no hope for social or business advancement. So it'll stay as is.

[Gather round]

There's already an Irish UKIP. They have an MLA and more surprisingly a district councillor in the Mourne Mountains (OK, Kilkeel).

[shantykelly]

Don't think there would be any great section of the electorate overly interested in an Irish version of the UKIP. There isn't the same level of euroscepticism as there would be in England, probably in part due to imperial hangovers. The UKIP seem to be a party of negative policies (leave the EU, clamp down on immigration, back to the glory days of old), without any real substance. There doesn't seem to be the same anti-EU feeling in Ireland, even after the extensive colonoscopy delivered in part by the EU. I would put the most Eurosceptical party as being Sinn Fein, and even they don't advocate leaving this union. We have a different culture and outlook on many things from the UK, and I would argue that a lot of political issues in Britain aren't analagous to here.

[Macy]

With UKIP having secured a quarter of the English vote in Thursday's local elections, a similar showing in 2015 would force Miliband into a coalition with Clegg, and highlight growing British disillusionment with their political system. Similarly, rumblings of discontent within both FG and FF could well see up to a dozen TDs potentially breakaway and form a new conservative political party. Of course, whether the Dáil actually needs a third right-wing party is another matter, but growing euroscepticism, an appeal to Catholic values and raising issues over immigration and law and order, along with pledges to cut personal taxation would seem to fit a profitable political niche for prospective "Irish Tories".

We could call them something snappy, something like "progressive democrats"...

The main hints/ wishes in the likes of INM have been around a split on abortion. Polls suggest that a majority of the population want to go further on this issue than the current proposed legislation that a new part would be forming on the basis of opposing. Hard to see them getting much traction in those circumstances. The Pro Life shout loud but they aren't a majority.

The main chance of forcing a change in Irish Politics was lost after the last election. If Labour had stayed out, and become the main opposition things could've developed. (FF would've been irrelevant as a minor party of opposition, or might have gone in with FG anyway).

The short term memory of the Irish Electorate continues to astound. There's an awful lot wrong with the current Government, but to ignore the position of the state they came into is ridiculous.

[peadar1987]

Don't think there would be any great section of the electorate overly interested in an Irish version of the UKIP. There isn't the same level of euroscepticism as there would be in England, probably in part due to imperial hangovers. The UKIP seem to be a party of negative policies (leave the EU, clamp down on immigration, back to the glory days of old), without any real substance. There doesn't seem to be the same anti-EU feeling in Ireland, even after the extensive colonoscopy delivered in part by the EU. I would put the most Eurosceptical party as being Sinn Fein, and even they don't advocate leaving this union. We have a different culture and outlook on many things from the UK, and I would argue that a lot of political issues in Britain aren't analagous to here.

There are plenty of things to hate about UKIP, their opposition to the workplace smoking ban and their support for the &*%ing Imperial measurement system should be on there as well.

[shantykelly]

would have to agree peadar, they seem to be a strange bunch of victorian-era little englanders that used to reside in the lunatic fringes of the tory party. like I said, different histroy, culture and development means I can't see a similar movement gaining any sort of long term credence here.

[jebus]

Irish politics is probably too dominated by parish-pump "build me a bypass" localism for a party to position itself on national issues. When you compare our election campaigns to those in other countries, the lack of a national focus in ours is shocking.

Saw someone on another forum describe the difference between Irish and British politics as being British politicians are almost too professional & adhere to too many standard practices in how they go about their business, whilst in Ireland it is the exact opposite and being competent and well spoken is almost a hindrance.

Best example of this here are those that criticise Michael D for sounding 'too intelligent'

[Macy]

Best example of this here are those that criticise Michael D for sounding 'too intelligent'

Worse if they're a woman - I can never get the hostility towards Ivana Bacik, purely based on her being an educated woman (I get disagreeing with her views, but that isn't normally the focus of the vitriol)

I'm not naturally inclined to taking direct power away from the people, but the more elections I witness the more I think some kind of list system mixed with directly elected constituencies is needed to allow parties to pick intelligent nationally focussed politicians.

[shantykelly]

It's a common trait here to shoot down anyone who tries to better themself. This is a very prevalent attitude in Derry. I got accused of pseudo-intellectualism recently on the derry forum for disagreeing with someone. I'm still not too sure what that is.

[Mr A]

Point proven. If you were a true intellectual you'd have understood.

[peadar1987]

Sure begrudgery is our great national pastime! Most countries dislike people who rub their success in your face. In Ireland, we just skip straight to the dislike without waiting for any rubbing.

Strangely enough, this only seems to apply to success that was achieved through hard work or talent. We still idolise those who have become successful through cute-hoorism and slyness.

Perhaps a cultural hangover from our colonial past? Whatever it is, we're a deeply messed-up country in many ways.

[BonnieShels]

Sure begrudgery is our great national pastime! Most countries dislike people who rub their success in your face. In Ireland, we just skip straight to the dislike without waiting for any rubbing.

Strangely enough, this only seems to apply to success that was achieved through hard work or talent. We still idolise those who have become successful through cute-hoorism and slyness.

Perhaps a cultural hangover from our colonial past? Whatever it is, we're a deeply messed-up country in many ways.

And it's a good thing you no longer live here.

I've finally been weathered into leaving as well. Not for work but for sanity.

[peadar1987]

And it's a good thing you no longer live here.

I've finally been weathered into leaving as well. Not for work but for sanity.

There's plenty to love about Ireland, I still miss the sense of humour, the feeling of community, and the fact that we don't generally take ourselves too seriously (especially when I was living in England!), but there's still so much about the country which is frankly idiotic. I'm not against the idea of coming back home to live eventually, but it's not a major goal of mine.

Although, on the subject of UKIP, they want to leave the EU and end "open doors" immigration for the likes of me, so depending on how the next few years play out, I could end up being back sooner than I think!

[BonnieShels]

There's plenty to love about Ireland, I still miss the sense of humour, the feeling of community, and the fact that we don't generally take ourselves too seriously (especially when I was living in England!), but there's still so much about the country which is frankly idiotic. I'm not against the idea of coming back home to live eventually, but it's not a major goal of mine.

Although, on the subject of UKIP, they want to leave the EU and end "open doors" immigration for the likes of me, so depending on how the next few years play out, I could end up being back sooner than I think!

You'll be grand as an Irish citizen you're not an "alien" so it'll only be those pesky Germans, Finns, Belgians and Swedes that that will apply to. Surely UKIP aren't suggesting that only Eastern European nations are guilty of coming to Britain and taking all the jobs?

I love this country. I think I am one of the luckiest people alive to think that I am Irish and to be honest it is rather advantageous sometimes.
My love for the country will never change. But it is tiring sometimes swimming against the tide. I think a break is needed.

[Eminence Grise]

If there's a lock-in after every meeting, there'd be no shortage of members in the Irish version.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0516/450...or-own-safety/