braz: Fine Gael 2002 versus 2007 Seat %

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Fine Gael 2002 versus 2007 Seat %

Fine Gael has had an incredible performance in this election, the above images show the percent proportion of seats per constituency based upon the number of seats available for each particular constituency. I’ve created this graphic as I felt today’s Irish Times graphics with first perference votes were misleading to a degree given that it is a PR-STV system we live in and that it really is how the seats end up that is the actual result when transfers are included. To borrow an often used phrase, “A lot done, more to do“. At this point, with the Seanad elections now looming and many of the upcoming Fine Gael candidates successful we can expect to see a good crop of new Fine Gael Senators in the next Dail. Fine Gael may require a two election strategy to return to power but the results of this election will provide a very solid foundation upon which to build.

Labels: finegael

4 Comments:

Well, its clear you are a fine gael fan at any rate! I'm not anti fine gael, but I'm not in favour too much either. I voted to change the government as well and really did want Enda Kenny as the new taoiseach. However, do you not think there should be a new fine gael leader? Enda Kenny failed to offer the country a viable "better ireland."

It is fantastic to see the numbers up thirty, but was that not fueled more by a certain percentage that desired change, rather then the brilliane of Enda Kenny?

Fianna Fáil's greatest asset in this election was Enda Kenny, or well McDowell, its somewhat debatable.

By shareefy, at 2:38 p.m.
I think Enda would do a good job but because I know it'd be a team effort and as it goes I'd put a lot more faith in his team rather than the same old players that Bertie will field. I'm fairly biased against some of those daft lads with Bertie who did the whole e-voting, ppars, etc, etc, etc as they didn't once look for any real advice and blew the money away like kids in a sweet shop.

I'd agree that its not the leaders, either of them, who really made people vote in the end for a particular party. Its rather the fact that people have big mortgages and the scary thought of negative equity hanging over them on one side whilst others have been stuck in the health system with their parents/relations and seen the real problems there on the other side.

I think the election showed one thing, Ireland doesn't know who they want to lead the country as they gave the closest thing to a hung Dail they could and now its time for the national interest to come into focus.

By Eoin Brazil, at 8:47 p.m.
Haha! Thats true, we haven't heard the national interest trump card played yet. I'm sure Pat Rabbittes biding his time nicely for that one.
I think people were fuelled by their own personal fears, but I refuse to believe we are so fixated by our own wealth we are totally ignoring our health. I just have to believe Enda Kenny helped Fianna Fail. He just seems too much of a nice guy to be a strong leader, to people. I kept hearing from friends etc that they wanted to vote fine gael but didn't want Enda. I personally think he'd probably grow into the job, but I also think unless he becomes more aggresive and sharp, people will refrain from voting for him.

I also have to agree, I prefer the Fine Gael Td's, especially Olwen Enright and Richard Bruton, and I'd agree that Fianna fail are somewhat uneconomical, and downright arrogent at this stage. But I still think Enda Kenny could be an unfortunate liability.

But then again, maybe irish people are enticed by the beal bocht, and we can't but help finding ourselves voting for devil as a result!

By shareefy, at 7:39 p.m.
I wish I could be as optimistic as you shareefy but it was personal fears and wealth. I can feel it below the surface of some of my friends who are in that early to mid twenties bracket. I really wish it could be simply written off as Enda helping FF but that's the easy answer, the cop out. Truely if we dig deeper within ourselves, there is an answer and I'm afraid of what it bodes for Ireland if things take that economic downturn certain pundits are predicting.

I'd have to say that you're right and it'll be the devil we know at least until Sept or Dec when by all accounts unless the Greens or Labour are in the mix of the Government we'll have another General Election and with the way things are going, I'd see Fine Gael picking up the 5 or 6 extra seats fairly handily. I think we'll see an 'acting Taoiseach' come Thursday afternoon and depending on things it could be a long summer of toing and froing but that is what we voted for and maybe it'll be just as good for us the voters to get a better understanding of how the whole process does actually depend on our vote... maybe voters will ask the question then 'Is this candidate the best for my area and the country ?' rather than just for my area as they've often done.

By Eoin Brazil, at 8:47 p.m.