If the government called a general election tonight

Already happened with some groups forming in the current and previous Dails for speaking rights. The Independents were elected on different issues but the incompetence of FFG, FG/Lab and FF/Greens/PDs before it has created a major issue that crosses social groups and could prove the basis for a new party.

Regards...jmcc

Did we not say that on 2011, 2016, 2020?

Where is Aontu on the immigration issue? If they were to come out strongly on securing our borders not only would I vote for them in the next election I would even consider joining the party.

They've been sketching out what I guess Toibin would describe as a 'realist' position on the issue.

Given he's from a post-GFA SF background I find it hard to imagine him ever taking a strong enough line to satisfy you, going by your posts on the subject.

You think things can't get worse?

Just look up north or across the sea to Britain where people voted for Brexit because it was the alternative to the EU and they thought it couldn't be worse.

Just because SF are an alternative doesn't mean you should vote for them.

I don't think it will take very long before we find out that the overall effect is negative.

You underestimate the power of the permanent government I.e. senior civil servants. They will block stuff they don't want to do. They have been running rings around FFG ministers for decades. For example Robert Watt.

But isn't that what the Democratic system is about? Or are you of the opinion that it should just be two or three groups alternating ad infinitum?

Personally I believe we need to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. I doubt whether SF will do great things given their move to the centre under Mary Lou, but I believe that several SF pols do their shadow briefs well; for instance you might remember Pearse Doherty taking on the insurance industry in committee?

They'll sit on the fence to try and appear anti refugee and pro migration.

That's exactly what the FG mouthpiece Regina Doherty was doing yesterday on the radio. The senator is always pushed out to say stuff that the government ministers is afraid to say.

No party will get an overall majority at the next election and with the number of TDs going up at the next election it’s an even more unlikely situation than it has been recently.

And to me personally voting for a political party because “well they aren’t the other lot” is something I’ve never understood. I want something to vote for not vote against. Now, this has and does continue to limit my choices in elections both local and National, but I can at least I’ve used my vote wisely and for the right reason, and to me voting for a party because they aren’t another party isn’t a right reason.

The current polls show that the government will win the next election, if they want to stay together. It will be close, they will need to tie down independent support more tightly, but it wouldn't take much of a swing in an election campaign to see the current government re-elected comfortably.

So why do you post conspiracy-theory like ideas that they will deliberately leave a bigger mess?

Yeah, I can see it now.

Leo: Hey Darragh, any ideas on how we can make the housing situation any worse?

Darragh: Well, I have this cunning plan to demolish all of the social housing in the country.

Roderic: Great idea, why don't I bring in a load of Russians to do the demolition job.

Micheal: I like your ideas lads, I'm off to Moscow to sign a mutual defence treaty, gotta get ahead of the Shinners and steal their ideas.

Like where do people get these silly ideas.

Never said that they would easily win, but in response to a silly suggestion that they government from here out would deliberately turn the country into a mess, I pointed out that they can win the election. That isn't cuckoo land, because that is what the polls are suggesting.