What breed of Independent are you?

Thu, Mar 05, 2009

The American columnist Franklin P Adams wrote in 1944 that: “Elections are won by men and women chiefly because most people vote against somebody rather than for somebody.”

Economics now engulf our politics

Thu, Mar 05, 2009

The Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis, recent opinion polls, and normal political activity are all being overshadowed by the perilous state of the economy. I have always believed that politics follows economics – to coin Bill Clinton’s phrase “It’s the economy, stupid”.

Ó Neachtáin goes public on fear of Bonner candidacy

Thu, Mar 05, 2009

You have to feel sorry for Fianna Fáil North West MEP Sean Ó Neachtáin. He serves the party loyally in Galway and Europe and yet, when it comes to elections, HQ seem to be permanently trying to undermine him.

No one is betting on any councillor just yet

Thu, Mar 05, 2009

While people talk about Billy Cameron, Brian Walsh, Declan McDonnell, Padraig Conneely, etc, as on course to keep their seats, people are unwilling to place any bets on the 2009 Local Elections just yet.

Fianna Fáil in disarray in the county

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

The 2009 Local Election is little more than three months away and Fianna Fáil in Galway is in disarray.

Fine Gael can’t pander to disaffected groups

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

After the disastrous rout in the 2002 General Election Fine Gael was reduced to 30 seats. They have since steadily rebuilt the party. Over recent months they have out-polled FF – the latest poll gave them a 10 point lead, albeit with a lower rating of 32 per cent. During the last election I predicted they could not win because they had simply too many seats to make up.

They now have a solid platform of more than 50 deputies. They got a good intake of new articulate TDs in 2007. Leo Varadkar, Lucinda Creighton, Dr James O’Reilly, and Kieran O’Donnell are all making a good impression.

Fine Gael can’t pander to disaffected groups

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

After the disastrous rout in the 2002 General Election Fine Gael was reduced to 30 seats. They have since steadily rebuilt the party. Over recent months they have out-polled FF – the latest poll gave them a 10 point lead, albeit with a lower rating of 32 per cent. During the last election I predicted they could not win because they had simply too many seats to make up.

Lucrative payments to TDs must go says Grealish

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

If the Government sees fit to introduce a pension levy on public sector workers, then it must also end the practice of paying ministerial pensions to sitting TDs.

Can FG take two in Galway City East?

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

Fine Gael is pushing to win a second seat in Galway City West and the party is looking towards Cllr Brian Walsh to bring in one of his two running mates.

Callanan edges closer to a decision to run again

Thu, Feb 26, 2009

Independent Cllr Daniel Callanan is coming ever closer to a final decision on whether or not he will run in June’s Local Election.

Will Labour start to groom Colm Keaveney for national politics?

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

“Better red than dead” the English philosopher Bertrand Russell used to say, and for the Labour Party - if the recent The Irish Times/TNS MRBI poll is anything to go by - the phrase has never been more apt.

Fianna Fáil’s fate

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

The decline in Fianna Fáil’s popularity since last June is unprecedented in the history of the party. The recent TNS/MRBI survey has tracked that support for the party has dropped from 42 per cent to 22 per cent over the past eight months. The leader’s satisfaction rating has declined from 52 per cent to 24 per cent. This presents an alarming prospect for all party members, supporters and especially candidates in the forthcoming local and European elections.

Can FG take two in Galway City East?

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Fine Gael is pushing to win a second seat in Galway City West and the party is looking towards Cllr Brian Walsh to bring in one of his two running mates.

John Connolly is ‘definitely going’ to seek re-election

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Fianna Fáil Cllr John Connolly has come out fighting against rumours he would not be running in June’s Local Elections by declaring he is “absolutely” and “definitely going” to seek re-election.

Callanan edges closer to a decision to run again

Thu, Feb 19, 2009

Independent Cllr Daniel Callanan is coming ever closer to a final decision on whether or not he will run in June’s Local Election.

The outspoken councillor was adamant for a long time that he would not seek re-election, but over the last year his appetite has returned prompting speculation that he would throw his hat into the ring again.

After Valentine’s there will be no love lost

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

As we head into St Valentine’s Day many of the city councillors will have their eye on two dates - February 14 and June 5.

Lisbon No campaign successfully sold

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

I detect one tiny slice of silver lining on our dark clouds. A recent Red C opinion poll found that 58 per cent of respondents would vote Yes if there was a second Lisbon Treaty held this year.

Poll findings will decide between Quinn and Crowe in FF battle

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

Fianna Fáil is to conduct a private opinion poll of Galway City Central and its findings will determine whether Martin Quinn or Ollie Crowe will join Cllr John Connolly on the party ticket.

Galway City Central is the ‘Group of Death’ for June’s Local Elections. The four seat ward is home to Mayor Padraig Conneely, Cllr Billy Cameron, Cllr John Connolly, and Cllr Colette Connolly - all are heavy hitters and none will be easy to dislodge.

Voters can kick out the jams on polling day

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

Friday June 5 has finally been declared as the date for the 2009 European and Local Elections - that’s just 114 days for voters to decide whether they will ‘kick ‘em out or keep ‘em in’.

Will it be Ganley v Michael D for Europe?

Thu, Feb 12, 2009

Within the next few weeks, Libertas will make an announcement on whether or not its founder Declan Ganley will run as a candidate in the North-West in the EU elections.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.