Even if the party can pivot the overarching political discussion from immigration to housing, the terms of engagement will not be the same as in 2020
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald speaking at the launch of the party's plan for international protection, in Dublin last month. Photgraph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
After five years of the troika and hair-shirt economic policies, politically, the introduction of water charges challenged Fine Gael’s upbeat election slogan of “Let’s Keep the Recovery Going”. For those opposing the Coalition, the message could not have been simpler: No recovery is being felt on the ground, and the Government wants to introduce yet another new tax.
The 2020 general election was one of those contests that proved second-tier elections can be poor predictors of general election outcomes. The attack line was one of failure of delivery and of competence. It fed into a wider narrative of a generation locked out of property ownership. That election marked the first time that voters from outside the Sinn Féin pool seriously considered it as an alternative option for government.The monthly Snapshot poll by Ipsos for The Irish Times has been a useful tool for measuring public sentiment on an ongoing basis.
Over the past fortnight we have seen the first part of Sinn Féin’s strategy to recover its support, with a new policy on immigration that partly acquiesces to protesters who want to veto accommodation centres in their locality.
Housing-Crisis Immigration Eoin-O-Broin Alan-Dillon Darragh-O-Brien
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Garda found guilty of sexually assaulting and falsely imprisoning a woman in Wicklow garda stationWilliam Ryan pleaded not guilty to assault of woman at Aughrim Garda Station in 2020
Read more »
Guinness maker Diageo slumps to first annual sales decline since 2020Sales in Ireland increased 7% last year, primarily driven by Guinness
Read more »
McDonald’s hit by first global sales drop since 2020Fast-food chain’s chief says customers are more ‘discriminating’ after years of price rises
Read more »
Bank of England cuts rates for first time since 2020Headline rate cut by a quarter of a percentage point to 5%
Read more »
Darren Gleeson steps down as Antrim’s senior hurling managerTipperary native led the county to Joe McDonagh Cup glory in 2020 and 2022
Read more »
Gardai seize number of phones as part of investigation into Robbie Lawlor murderGangster Robbie Lawlor was shot dead outside a house in Belfast in 2020
Read more »