19 Nov 2024

TV election debates are useless

I watched a televised debate last night featuring the leaders of all political parties and groupings in Ireland. I kind of knew what I was getting myself into but I watched nonetheless. What I witnessed was a chaotic circus of sloganeering, glorified NPC dialogue and I-know-you-are-but-what-am-I. Each leader was more interested in sniping their opponents with sick burns than laying out their policy so the electorate would actually have some idea of who they’re going to vote for and why.

[Politics]

14 Nov 2024

My (Irish) election predictions

With the three ring circus of the US election wrapped up it’s now time for us to turn our attention to the rather less icky but far more pedestrian Irish general election. I don’t know why but I follow politics in the same way as some people would follow sport. It’s a one day public spectacle with a sense of anticipation or anxiety where there are winners and losers. It can be predicted to some extent but you never quite know what’s going to happen on the day.

[Politics]