Poll rise for Sinn Féin shows people responding to alternative – Mary Lou

A NEW Irish Times poll result revealed today shows Sinn Féin support rising to make it the second largest party in the state, second only to Fine Gael. Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary McDonald TD said the result of the Ipsos/MRBI poll shows that many people who voted in the general election for the Government parties — the Labour Party in particular — feel utterly betrayed.

She said:

Citizens the length and breadth of this state reject the austerity approach of this government. They reject the notion that ordinary working families should pick up the tab for the reckless actions of bankers and the mismanagement of the economy by government.

They reject the hand-over of sovereignty to the IMF and the EU.

Many citizens who voted in the general election for the Government parties — the Labour Party in particular — feel utterly betrayed. People voted in large numbers in the hope of real political change, not a continuation of the failed policies of the previous Fianna Fáil-led administration.

Every day we see evidence of the pain and distress caused by the Government’s failed approach — unemployment at an historic high, increased emigration, stealth taxes and attacks on welfare.

The Dublin TD added:

Sinn Féin has said consistently that there is a political alternative. We have said austerity is not working, that the economy needs stimulus and that job creation should be the top priority for Government.

We have promoted core republican values — citizenship, sovereignty and independence. We are standing up for people’s rights and in Ireland's interests.

We are saying there is a better way and have produced costed proposals to get the economy back on track.

Sinn Féin is offering more than just hope – we offer a real alternative and people are responding.