Search Results for 'Insider'

It was all about by-elections last weekend - two Dáil by-elections being watched closely with a view to gauging the mood music of the electorate; a Seanad by-election generating an inordinate amount of interest as the Government inflicted an unnecessary wound on itself; and two parliamentary by-elections in England which may yet prove to be of some interest this side of the Irish Sea.

Insider is, this week, looking at the contest for the Labour leadership, from a Labour perspective, in the aftermath of what was a disastrous election for the party in which it lost three seats on the Galway City Council.

Over recent weeks, despite the happy distraction of the St Patrick’s Day festivities and the Easter break, Insider has detected a sense of worry in people’s demeanour created by a largely unexpected development that has truly shaken them out of any complacency.

“Get a mandate!” barked Labour party Rottweiler, Councillor Billy Cameron. This verbal was directed at Dette McLoughlin, the chair of Galway’s United Left Alliance. However as quick as you could say travel expenses, McLoughlin replied: “You have no mandate to implement a household tax, nor to rob the poor to help the rich. If you had any principles you would resign from the Labour Party!”

As a year of potentially enormous political significance begins, Insider has decided to look at the prospects for each party, both on a national and local level. Insider cannot recall a time of more political uncertainty, and the predictions made today may seem very foolish in two or three months time. Insider firmly believes that the result of the election could also differ considerably depending on the date it is held. Is the 'Gilmore Gale' still blowing? Will Brian Cowen even lead FF into battle? Has Enda Kenny put the questions over his capacity for the job of Taoiseach to bed? Will disaffected members of the public support SF in unprecedented numbers? How many more sitting TD's will opt out? Are the Greens already a spent force? So much uncertainty, and so much anger. So much to lose, and so much to win. Insider has decided to sum up the reasons he would vote 'for' or 'against' each party. Today Insider will look at Longford-Westmeath, and look at Roscommon-South Leitrim and Galway East in the coming weeks.

As a year of potentially enormous political significance begins, Insider has decided to look at the prospects for each party, both on a national and local level. Insider will look at Galway West today, and return to Galway East in the coming weeks. Insider cannot recall a time of more political uncertainty, and he firmly believes that the result of the election could also differ considerably depending on the date it is held. Is the 'Gilmore Gale' still blowing? Will Brian Cowen even lead FF into battle? Has Enda Kenny put the questions over his capacity for the job of Taoiseach to bed? Will the disaffected members of the public support SF in unprecedented numbers? How many more sitting TD's will opt out? Are the Greens already a spent force? So much uncertainty, and so much anger. So much to lose, and so much to win. Insider has decided to sum up the reasons he would vote 'for' or 'against' each party.

Insider has decided to issue a half-term report on the performance of the players in the political game and what the likely results would be in the event of an early election.