Sir, – Enda Kenny is about to make the same mistake as John Bruton in 1997 and Liam Cosgrave in 1977 – going to the country earlier than he needs to and failing to win re-election for his government.
Leo Varadkar says the flu outbreak will get worse in the next two weeks, and by implication the trolley crisis. The weather forecast for the next few weeks is for a succession of depressions and a possible storm or two, with a high probability of more flooding. And dark cold wet evenings will make voters even crankier!
The alternative is to wait for five more weeks of fatter paypackets, a clock change to bright evenings, late spring weather, and no flu.
While Labour will be the bigger loser in a February election, Fine Gael would also gain a few seats by waiting until April. The difference will be between a stable Fine Gael/Labour/Others government and a period of instability, followed by all the uncertainties of a second general election.
Enda – talk to John and Liam! – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN LYNCH,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Fine Gael has made limited improvement in its level of public support since the budget announcement in November. Labour, however, has remained in the region of 9 per cent to 10 per cent support. As a result, the Coalition’s current combined support level is significantly below that of the 2011 general election combined results for these two parties. If the current support level is reflected in the upcoming general election, the Coalition will not be able to obtain a majority of seats in the next Dáil.
It seems unlikely that a sufficient number of like-minded Independents will be elected to help the Coalition achieve a majority. The Coalition will therefore need to look for a third partner. Various politicians have stated their lack of interest in such an arrangement.
The alternative is a short-term minority government.
Since 1937 there have been eight minority governments; four lasted less than one year, a fifth lasted slightly more than a year. Political instability would do nothing to solve the critical issues of homelessness, the A&E crisis, and confronting the devastation of repeated flooding.
Politicians need to place the emphasis of post-election decisions on ensuring a stable, long-term government that can deal effectively with these issues, rather than making their personal political career considerations the prime concern. – Yours, etc,
DAN DONOVAN,
Dungarvan,
Co Waterford.