Ireland politics (Part 1)

[artfoley]

[iron_mike]

@ProjectX

His political views and the views of the other members of the SD party were not suited to each other.

It makes sense for Stephen to leave the SD’s. It will be interesting to see if he joins with FF or FG in the future.

He won’t. Otherwise he would be the next George Lee

[ProjectX]

It probably even suits FG to have someone like him in the opposition independent benches to offer credible counter balance to the left wingers.

[iron_mike]

Yup.

[TheUlteriorMotive]

Stephen discovering party politics is senior hurling.

[iron_mike]

I’d say it could have been the other way round.

[TheUlteriorMotive]

Party politics discovering Stephen is senior hurling?

[iron_mike]

Something like that I’d say. Your wan Murphy would be a lot more left thinking when it comes to fiscal issues. While Shorthall would also be left thinking regarding fiscal issues, she’d be a little more central. Donnely has never made any secret of the fact that he would be far more right in terms of financial matters.
Murphy came out with something along the ,inescapable of, " it would be madness to refuse the Apple money" While that might think have been enough to break up the triangle, it could have been the last straw in a ,ongoing line of disagreements. Donnely is more suited to FF/FG but he’s too clever for that.

[Julio_Geordio]

@iron_mike

Something like that I’d say. Your wan Murphy would be a lot more left thinking when it comes to fiscal issues. While Shorthall would also be left thinking regarding fiscal issues, she’d be a little more central. Donnely has never made any secret of the fact that he would be far more right in terms of financial matters.
Murphy came out with something along the ,inescapable of, " it would be madness to refuse the Apple money" While that might think have been enough to break up the triangle, it could have been the last straw in a ,ongoing line of disagreements. Donnely is more suited to FF/FG but he’s too clever for that.

He’ll have to start his own party, again

[Sidney]

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Donnelly leave politics within 3-5 years or possibly sooner.

Doesn’t look to be anywhere obvious for him to go political party-wise and I suspect he’ll get fed up of being an independent TD if he doesn’t have any influence over policy. Doesn’t strike me as a political lifer.

I could see him go down a similar road to Yatesy and diversify into media, probably radio.

[Ashman]

I agree . You really need to have a high tolerance for pushing boulders up hills to be a lifer in politics.

[iron_mike]

You never know. I can see him doing the Ming Flanagan on it and going for Europe next time round. Yeats only went down the media route out of necessity. He was lucky to have enough mates in the business to give him a leg up.

[Smark]

He can align with beefy Heffernan again and kick ass!

[Juhniallio]

I called this when they formed as a party. Strange move originally but they certainly got traction and people kind of believed in them. Disastrous for the party now and not great for Donnelly himself either. He’ll be elected in Wicklow as long as he likes but nationally it’s not great for his credibility.

[iron_mike]

@Juhniallio

I called this when they formed as a party. Strange move originally but they certainly got traction and people kind of believed in them. Disastrous for the party now and not great for Donnelly himself either. He’ll be elected in Wicklow as long as he likes but nationally it’s not great for his credibility.

Won’t do him any harm long term nationally. Both Murphy and Shorthall have had thEir 15 minutes. Donnely is capable of much more. Should have stayed independent after the election. I suspect he might have one eye on Europe.

[Steven_Naimsith]

The cunt was never a true Social Democrat/Democratic Socialist to begin with. Always struck me as mildly right of center, and a bit of a Me Féiner to boot.

[iron_mike]

He fully admits to being right of centre, particularly from a fiscal perspective. I’m a bit of a fan I must say. Think he’s an allright sort and a lot more capable then some of those independent cunts sitting at cabinet

[Steven_Naimsith]

@iron_mike

He fully admits to being right of centre, particularly from a fiscal perspective. I’m a bit of a fan I must say. Think he’s an allright sort and a lot more capable then some of those independent cunts sitting at cabinet

Then what the fuck was he doing forming a party called the “Social Democrats” with a ex-Stickie and ex-Labour TD?

Maybe he should start a party called the “Liberal Democrats”, if that is what his ideology lines up with… socially liberal and fiscally conservative.

[tallback]

He’s in complete danger of falling into the Shane Ross/George Lee trap of making the solutions appear easy but not being someone who could actually get stuff done. The inability of the SD’s to agree on a leader always struck me as being a good indicator of their likel inability to make tough decisions if they ever rocked up at a cabinet table. Shirking away from the opportunity earlier this year told some more.

[Nembo_Kid]

Huh?

Labour are very right of centre.