Election poll: how are you voting in the General Election?

BoJack Horseman

bladespin wrote: »

Probably explains the popularity of SF...... most likely is FG and high taxes remain.

You've read the material though... unsure why you got that mixed up!

FG are the ones promising to cut USC.
SF are the ones promising the highest tax rises.

TrueIt

I'm not tied to any particular party but I couldn't vote for Fianna Fáil while they have that plonker leading their party. He destroyed the healthcare system and brought in the shambles that is the HSE, him to run the country, noway josé.

So for me its either Independent or Fine Gael. Leaning towards independent as the person is a good candidate.

bladespin

BoJack Horseman wrote:

FG are the ones promising to cut USC. SF are the ones promising the highest tax rises.

You're confused on that one, FG's promises aren't worth anything, also historically proven.

BoJack Horseman

bladespin wrote: »

FG's promises aren't worth anything.

All I'm going by is the last 2 years....



(taking this example as a single income family in south county Dublin, 2 parents+2 kids living in the median value house of €275k)

bladespin

That's a very short term view tbh (you've also left out water, tv licence, vat, levies, dirt, and the upcoming recycling tax). They've been in govt much longer than that, even if you're only looking at recent govts.

Stop obsessing on income and look at the bigger picture, tax is tax no matter how you dress it.

BoJack Horseman

bladespin wrote: »

That's a very short term view tbh (you've also left out water

The calculator doesnt include that and besides, it is still a net positive for this hypothetical family.

tv licence

That was introduced 54 years ago.... c'mon buddy!

even if you're only looking at recent govts.

Why else would I!

You can go nuts looking back at all the previous governments.
Most would consider that silly.

slogging...it

Will probably be SF just to for a stronger opposition in government, Fg have nothing for the worker under 30k and won't we don't exist by the looks of it. I done fig on my wage what I got covers property tax and water bill so no better off ha. Labour would have had my vote but they sold themselves out.

bladespin

Still a tax the average family has to pay, not complaining about it (or your buddy for that matter).
As I've said, it is what it is but stop pretending FG aren't all about high taxation on the middle, their reputation and historical performance betrays them on that one.

BoJack Horseman

bladespin wrote: »

it is what it is but stop pretending FG aren't all about high taxation on the middle

I've demonstrated to you how things are improving for people in work

I don't claim that FG are not a 'big-state / tax & spend party like everyone else.... they very much are.
But not everything is absolute, there are degrees!

So, this being so, those who want to be taxed less actually face a uneven, but singular choice & that is the incumbents.
All else promise to take more, and its these promises politicians never fail to deliver on.

bladespin

Backtracking is a FG speciality.

Just like the others to be fair, they're all the same in reality.

Godge

bladespin wrote: »

Still a tax the average family has to pay, not complaining about it (or your buddy for that matter).
As I've said, it is what it is but stop pretending FG aren't all about high taxation on the middle, their reputation and historical performance betrays them on that one.

SF are the only party proposing tax rises.

Macha

I'll be voting Greens, no surprise there. Their policies might be unpopular in the short run and they suffer for it but if nothing else, the recent flooding proves that they're the only ones with a solid long term vision. Bad planning is a scourge and causes so many problems and seriously reduces quality of life.

As an aside, you can be opposed to nuclear in Ireland for a multitude of entirely sensible reasons like cost, grid size, technical incompatibility with renewables, waste disposal or simply the fact that it can't be built in time to impact our carbon emissions.

bladespin

Godge wrote:

SF are the only party proposing tax rises.

Not on middle income, their election proposals would see middle income families tax commitment drop.

Must add I've compared their promises to alice in wonderland but if you're taking politicians at their word...

Irelandcool

I haven't decided yet, and tbh I don't like politicians in general so its hard to choose.

If I can't decide I just won't vote and hope people will just respect my decision to do that. Then again apart from here online where I am anonymous I won't say it to people I know because it be too much hassle. None of the Left or Right wing parties appeal to be me anyways.

feargale

VisibleGorilla wrote: »

Sinn Féin.

Ah no. Not totally decided but I certainly won't vote Sinn Fein, mainly because I'm against capital punishment.

Bongalongherb

Macha wrote: »

I'll be voting Greens, no surprise there. Their policies might be unpopular in the short run and they suffer for it but if nothing else, the recent flooding proves that they're the only ones with a solid long term vision. Bad planning is a scourge and causes so many problems and seriously reduces quality of life.

As an aside, you can be opposed to nuclear in Ireland for a multitude of entirely sensible reasons like cost, grid size, technical incompatibility with renewables, waste disposal or simply the fact that it can't be built in time to impact our carbon emissions.

Voting for the greens would be akin to going back to the horse and cart because driving will be so highly taxed not many would be able to afford it. Stick another expensive windmill up there in front of your nose blocking any kind of view to the beautiful countryside they will do. The greens if given power would basically destroy us imo.

Macha

Bongalongherb wrote: »

Voting for the greens would be akin to going back to the horse and cart because driving will be so highly taxed not many would be able to afford it. Stick another expensive windmill up there in front of your nose blocking any kind of view to the beautiful countryside they will do. The greens if given power would basically destroy us imo.

Yes, with one of the highest rated of car usage in the world, I can see Irish people are really struggling to use their cars.. Here's an idea: maybe plan towns and cities better so people don't have to use their cars as much, ie avoid urban sprawl? Then families wouldn't have to carry the cost of two cars and those too young, too old, too poor or too unwell to own a car can have access to similar levels of mobility as those with a car?

As for calling windfarms expensive, I take it you don't have a clue as to how much the alternatives are currently costing us or the fact that the €6 billion Ireland spends importing fossil fuels every year would be better spent creating home grown jobs.

The Greens wanted investigations into the shoddy planning that caused so many houses to be build on flood plains but Phil Hogan canceled them. I hope the people whose houses were flooded this winter think about that when they're voting.

Godge

bladespin wrote: »

Not on middle income, their election proposals would see middle income families tax commitment drop.

Must add I've compared their promises to alice in wonderland but if you're taking politicians at their word...

Don't think so, they haven't published details but there is no way they can fund their spending promises and also reduce middle income families tax commitments.

BoJack Horseman

Godge wrote: »

Don't think so, they haven't published details but there is no way they can fund their spending promises and also reduce middle income families tax commitments.

Their comprehensive 'better for health' policy document repeatedly states their commitment to raise income tax & PRSI contributions.
The same document also abolishes tax relief on private health insurance.

Separate is their long standing commitment to cut tax relief on pension contributions.

This is just the start, otherwise their public expenditure plans are a pipe drem, but even just this start is a hard blow on the middle classes who already pay for the state.

bladespin

Godge wrote: »

Don't think so, they haven't published details but there is no way they can fund their spending promises and also reduce middle income families tax commitments.

Exactly what I said tbh. To be clear, I'm not supporting SF in any way, Booby Sands is about all I'll say, merely pointing out that claiming FG are about low taxes is BS, that's all.

Grudaire

Macha wrote:

The Greens wanted investigations into the shoddy planning that caused so many houses to be build on flood plains but Phil Hogan canceled them. I hope the people whose houses were flooded this winter think about that when they're voting.

It's such a pity that this government rolled back on three of the greens biggest achievements in planning:
- The planning enquires were washed down (probably to perfect FG interests)
- The rezoning windfall tax was removed, arguably the biggest achievement against planning corruption
- Improvements in building standards are being rolled back.

Wanderer78

Irelandcool wrote:

If I can't decide I just won't vote and hope people will just respect my decision to do that. Then again apart from here online where I am anonymous I won't say it to people I know because it be too much hassle. None of the Left or Right wing parties appeal to be me anyways.

Please do vote. Your vote counts. Make the best decision you can but please do

JustTheOne

Irelandcool wrote: »

I haven't decided yet, and tbh I don't like politicians in general so its hard to choose.

If I can't decide I just won't vote and hope people will just respect my decision to do that. Then again apart from here online where I am anonymous I won't say it to people I know because it be too much hassle. None of the Left or Right wing parties appeal to be me anyways.

That's fair enough.

But you also give up your right to whinge or moan ever about anything the government does that annoys you.

padd b1975

FG followed by Labour.

Nothing for the rest.

Banjoxed

#1 and #2 Fine Gael. No Labour candidate here. All the way down to #11 Tim Jackson (anti abortion independent) and #12-14 Sinn Féin.

RobbingBandit

Sinn Féin. Mary Lou to be precise first.

AAA second preference.

Independent third.

Ozymandius2011

I've discovered theres an Independent in Wexford supporting immigration control (Paul O'Hanlon). I think I'll vote for him. I was originally a likely Wallace voter and its still possible I might vote for him but while I agree with the latter on the Swedish model, I wouldn't say Wallace and I would be on the same page on immigration.

Ren2k7

SF, the only true patriots of Ireland. Ireland has been ruined by FFGLAB, you only have to look at their track record in govt where the three parties have dominated.

Wanderer78

any idea how this poll is going?

NIMAN

click on VIEW POLL RESULTS above

An Ciarraioch

Wanderer78 wrote: »

any idea how this poll is going?

You might want to look at the top of the page!

SarahBM

I was very interested in politics in college and I got involved with Young Fine Gael, however having seen how things work at a local level I became very disillusioned with the whole "who's your father" way the parties like FG and FF are run at grass roots level.
In the last election I voted Labour, foolishly believing that they would implement the policies they promised, and also believing that they would work well with, rather than for FG.
I feel let down by both parties, and I honestly don't feel any of the parties, except for perhaps the Social Democrats, represent my views (and I don't agree with them on everything, water charges for example).
I think I fall into that awkward category of twenty somethings who has a 3rd level education, didn't emigrate, has a good job, but can't afford to rent a nice house and definitely cannot afford to buy one, and sure if your not married or don't have kids, none of the parties give a crap. I mean, god forbid anyone should be single in this country and try to buy a house for themselves. And don't get me started on repealing the 8th amendment.
Anyway that's my rant. I have decided that I shall research a party a night, watch the debates and I won't make my decision until I feel I have sussed them all out.

Going by the whichcandidate.ie poll I should vote for a green no1 and Mary-Lou 2. ha ha ha!

Im going to think about it a bit more.

Cheerful Spring

Bernie Sanders is beating Hillary and hes a socialist. The people in Ireland should be doing the same and voting for parties who care about the people.

bladespin

Thin on the ground here, parties only care about parties, not the people, even the highly moral sell their souls for a bit of power here.
Labour, Greens - hardly followed their core principals when they tried to take medical cards from the old and ds kids.

FreudianSlippers

I've only just decided:

1) Green
2) Renua
3) Fianna Fáil
4) Fine Gael

No further preferences.

Mr.Micro

FG and Labour have kept the country afloat for the last 5 years against all odds. Why throw away the momentum of recovery to allow the likes of FF to wreak havoc again. A proposed increase in old age pensions from FF. Buying the votes already, as if there are not hundreds of other urgent issues more important. Same old FF.

Badabing

Mr.Micro wrote:

FG and Labour have kept the country afloat for the last 5 years against all odds. Why throw away the momentum of recovery to allow the likes of FF to wreak havoc again. A proposed increase in old age pensions from FF. Buying the votes already, as if there are not hundreds of other urgent issues more important. Same old FF.

What are FG proposing?

BoJack Horseman

Badabing wrote: »

What are FG proposing?

FG make several references to 'above inflation rate' pension increases in their manifesto.
Obviously they want to win, but it is also fiscally unnecessary and feels like something out of the Bertienomics playbook.

Ren2k7

Mr.Micro wrote: »

FG and Labour have kept the country afloat for the last 5 years against all odds. Why throw away the momentum of recovery to allow the likes of FF to wreak havoc again. A proposed increase in old age pensions from FF. Buying the votes already, as if there are not hundreds of other urgent issues more important. Same old FF.

I agree about FF, if they got in they would wreck the nation once more. But I disagree that FG and Lab have been responsible for the recovery. The recovery took place in spite of them, all they had to do was not screw up or introduce fiscally insane giveaway budgets that were the hallmark of FF administrations.

White Clover

Ren2k7 wrote: »

I agree about FF, if they got in they would wreck the nation once more. But I disagree that FG and Lab have been responsible for the recovery. The recovery took place in spite of them, all they had to do was not screw up or introduce fiscally insane giveaway budgets that were the hallmark of FF administrations.

Fiscally insane budgets you say....exactly what Sinn Fein are promising too.

gavmcg92

Had the opportunity to speak to Lucinda at the door today. Very nice person, very friendly but have very little in common with her politically speaking. Also, not so sure about their tax policy.

TripleC

gavmcg92 wrote: »

Had the opportunity to speak to Lucinda at the door today. Very nice person, very friendly but have very little in common with her politically speaking. Also, not so sure about their tax policy.

Snap, I actually met her about 10-12 years ago at a social event and found her to be quiet likable and personable. I was unsurprised when she had a meteoric rise in politics because she struck me as being very ambitious (in a positive way). However, I was slightly shocked when she emerged as a leader of the anti-abortion......from talking to her I had formed the opinion that she was a progressive young lady.

C

charlie14

Ozymandius2011 wrote: »

Detailed breakdown of this weeks Irish Times poll here. It shows a massive class divide for the first time in an Irish election. It also has FF and Labour level in Dublin at 11%. Among the wealthiest AB group (nationally), voters want the govt re-elected 47-46, while among the poorest DE group, its against 72-19, and the against are ahead in all these other social class groups with at least 62% against.

Interesting breakdown by social class that perhaps begs the question.

In the minds of the public in general, do they look upon this government as one that has mostly benifited the ABs, and as a consequence pushed voters out of their normal previous comfort zones towards the left?

The only social class that are in favour of retaining this government from this poll are the ABs, and from the past traditional left party, Labour, part of the present coalition, 43% of their supporters want a change of goverment.

charlie14

White Clover wrote: »

Fiscally insane budgets you say....exactly what Sinn Fein are promising too.

I wouldn`t have really expected anything more from Sinn Fein, but FG "promising too", makes them look like Tweedle Dum verses Tweedle Dee.

charlie14

Wanderer78 wrote: »

any idea how this poll is going?

FG are home and dry with the largest majority in the history of the state.:rolleyes:

Jack Killian

Rosahane wrote: »

Unfortunately they are heading that way, particularly with the cronyism. Less so on the corruption, unlike FF they tend to get rid of the offenders.

However when you get down to it they are the least worst option to lead a government.

...and, until we get a decent social democratic alternative that's where we are. I was interested in Renua, well, for about the five minutes it took to discover that Hobbs was involved!

You wrote off SDs claiming that they couldn't hack it in the list of main parties.

Watching tonight's TV debate FG would be lucky to have Donnelly; he gave Enda a lesson in how to be a leader and how to think fairly and speak.

Ren2k7

It'll be interesting to see how close the election result is to the above poll here on Boards. I get the sense that FG support tends to be vastly overstated on here compared to the nation as a whole.

gandalf

Ren2k7 wrote: »

It'll be interesting to see how close the election result is to the above poll here on Boards. I get the sense that FG support tends to be vastly overstated on here compared to the nation as a whole.

Normally it is the opposite with the AAA and SF getting higher results online that they do in the Real World.

Ren2k7

gandalf wrote: »

Normally it is the opposite with the AAA and SF getting higher results online that they do in the Real World.

Online polls are meaningless. Though I accept that in opinion polling conducted by the likes of Red C support for SF has historically tended to be higher than at elections. This trend may be coming to an end however as at the last Euro elections SF candidates actually did better than polls suggested.

gandalf

Absolutely online polls can be "loaded" by shills of a number of parties. In the past SF seemed to be the leaders in this area but FG seem to be carrying out this sort of carry on as well in recent times.

It is interesting from just the boards demographics point of view. The SF percentage looks lower than I would expect it to be on boards normally.