The political parties are now moving into top gear for the Euro and local elections on June 11th. Part of the procedure is the taking of secret party polls. And secret they remain. Reports are circulating widely about what they contain but only a select few know the truth; these polls cost big money, and from them come the tales designed to further their owners' aims. Thus, for example, there was widespread circulation of a report that an FF poll had found Tony Gregory would take the third seat in Dublin. Is it true or is it merely an FF plot to get Gregory onto the ballot paper and thus further muddy the left? Similarly, have FG polls found Mary Banotti attracting a quota-and-a-half, and thus well able to bring in a running mate? FG, after all, is desperate that Jim Mitchell should run and has succeeded in persuading him. On Monday his name goes forward with Banotti at the selection convention in Dublin Castle.
Polls have lesser impact around the country, where there are so many faits accomplis, and they have no relevance at all, beyond a party trend, in the local elections, so vast is the field.
Meanwhile it's full steam ahead. The biggest FF gathering of the year takes place in the Burlington this day week when the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern addresses a giant election rally. All 800 local candidates have been invited, as well as the eight Euro hopefuls, the national executive and the parliamentary party. They will hear Tom Kitt, the overall director of Euro elections, and Noel Dempsey, overall director for the locals, tell them how the fight will be won.