04/12/2014

FG And Labour Ratings Slump

Fine Gael and Labour's ratings have significantly dropped, while independents and smaller parties have won substantial increases, according to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll.

Fine Gael have dropped 5 percentage points to 19%, while Labour's approval has fallen 3 points to 6%.

Fine Gael is now at its lowest standing since 2003, while Enda Kenny's satisfaction rating is at its lowest since taking over leadership of the party in 2002.

Sinn Féin, who recently enjoyed a surge in support, have seen a 2% fall to 22% since the last poll in October, while Fianna Fáil have improved marginally, rising 1% to 21%.

The survey was undertaken on Monday and Tuesday this week among a representative sample of 1,200 voters aged 18 and over.

Fine Gael's share of the vote has fallen across Ireland and across all age groups. The imposition of water charges has seen mass protests across the country and is likely to have contributed to the party's slump in support.

Labour has also suffered a loss of support, following a modest recovery in the last poll. Leader Joan Burton has seen a drop in satisfaction after an initially good performance.

Sinn Féin's support has dropped two points since the last poll, but has held strong in the face of allegations of sexual abuse within the IRA and the Maíria Cahill affair. Leader Gerry Adams has suffered an 11% drop in rating, but still has the highest rating of any party leader.

Most telling is a nine point rise in support for independents and smaller parties. 36% of those opting for either of these two categories said they did not trust the established parties. 27% said they were best at local issues. 19% said they liked what independents or small parties stood for.

(IT/JP)

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