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The new Irish political party led by John Tóibín claims an eight per cent vote in a recent poll, bolstering its odds of winning twelve seats in the next general election and promising gains across constituencies such as Meath East and Cavan‑Monaghan. Simultaneously, Aontú is preparing to contest the upcoming Stormont and local elections in Northern Ireland, fielding candidates across ten Assembly and 15 local council seats, with deputy leader Gemma Brolly targeting East Derry. Tóibín and Brolly highlight the party's recent policy successes-opposing government‑backed hate‑speech amendments, carbon‑tax hikes, and changes to family law-and emphasize a commitment to represent grassroots concerns, urging voters to determine key issues like an Irish border poll.
Aontú, the newly established Irish political party founded by John Tóibín and and former Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil figures, is poised to make a significant breakthrough in the forthcoming general election in the Republic of Ireland.
According to Tóibín, the party's support is now at an "historic high" following the results of a recent Sunday Independent poll that placed the party at eight per cent. This represents a doubling of the four per cent popular vote the party received in the 2024 general election and would translate into a chance of winning up to twelve seats in the next Irish general election.
The party expects to secure seats in at least five constituencies, including Meath East and Cavan‑Monaghan, due to its resonant message of listening to grassroots concerns - a sharp contrast to the perceived disconnect of established parties such as Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin. Aontú is also targeting electoral gains in Northern Ireland, where the party plans to field candidates for the upcoming Stormont Assembly and local elections in May 2025.
Tóibín announced that the party will run candidates across ten Stormont seats and 15 local council positions, with deputy leader Gemma Brolly projected to win a seat in East Derry. The party has already attracted support from former SDLP councillor Margaret Anne McKillop, who left the SDLP over its abortion policy, became an independent and now joins the new movement.
McKillop is currently Aontú's sole councilor in Northern Ireland and is seen as a symbol of growing disenchantment among SDLP and Sinn Féin supporters. During a rally at the Maldron Hotel in Derry, Tóibín highlighted Aontú's policy victories in 2024 that have already impacted the Republic.
He claimed the party was the sole political group to oppose the government's proposed amendments to the many hate‑speech bill and the multi‑annual carbon‑tax policy, both of which have been rolled back in government budgets following Aontú's intervention. In addition, the party's stance against the erosion of traditional family legal definitions and its support for farmers and contractors during fuel protests garnered public approval.
Deputy leader Brolly echoed the party's position on "Mobilien elections" and stressed that the authority to hold a border poll remains with the people rather than any Northern Secretary of State. The party's message strongly emphasizes moving away from policies they argue are out of touch with the Irish public and an endorsement of a more responsive, people‑centred democracy.
This surge in support comes as Aontú's sociopolitical narrative gains traction, delegitimising government initiatives on immigration, citizenship reform, and the so‑called "ratcheting carbon tax". Tóibín claimed the party's policies led to a decline in immigration rates because the government was following Aontú's lead. The party urges voters to adopt direct democratic means to decide future political questions, including the issue of an Irish border referendum.
While other national media outlets have reported on local political figures-Anise: Donald Trump's remarks about a unified Ireland, as well as reactions to the recent Dún Laoghaire shooting investigation-the editorial focus of this piece remains squarely on Aontú's electoral prospects and policy victories in the Republic and the North. In short, the party's leadership is confident that the next general election will bring Aontú a meaningful representation, potentially with up to twelve seats nationwide and a growing foothold in Northern Ireland for the party's future policy implementation.
The narrative is built on a blend of grassroots engagement, a willingness to oppose unpopular legislation, and the promise of a more responsive government for Irish citizens.
Aontú John Tóibín Irish General Election Stormont Assembly Grassroots Politics
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