Fine Gael faces drop in support

Opinion poll reflect growing dissatisfaction with Government

Sir, – Despite what some would have us believe, the current failures in housing, healthcare, etc, are not caused by some ghost “leftists” lurking in the shadows on the corridors of power.

Your latest opinion poll (“Support for Fine Gael at lowest level since 1994 as Sinn Féin hits record high”, News, July 14th) shows that the majority of people know that the culprits are the right and centre-right parties in power.

Change was asked for at the last election; there will be no such courtesy next time round. – Yours, etc,

JIM O’SULLIVAN,

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Rathedmond,

Sligo.

Sir, – It is no great surprise that Sinn Féin is doing well in the recent polls. It is easy to be popular when you don’t have to make difficult decisions. It has been a good time for any party to be in opposition.

Meanwhile the Government, since it was formed two years ago, has had to steer this country through a housing crisis, a pandemic, Brexit, war in Ukraine, climate change and many other major difficulties. – Yours, etc,

MARY BARRETT ,

Raheny,

Dublin 5.

Sir, – The news that Fine Gael’s support has slumped below a psychologically sustainable 20 per cent to a psychologically unsustainable 18 per cent should come as no surprise to anybody who has paid attention to the party in recent years.

Despite social media bravado, apparent scores on trendy issues and against political opponents, Fine Gael has not been able to convert its classic brand of self-congratulation into any kind of remote electoral success since 2016.

The Democrat buck famously stopped with Harry Truman. With whom stops Fine Gael’s? – Yours, etc,

KILLIAN FOLEY-WALSH,

Kilkenny.