Policy overtakes personality for voters

JOBS and the economy are the number one concern for seven out of 10 Cork South Central voters — with nearly six out of 10 describing them as the number one issue.

The Irish Examiner/RedC research shows that policy has overtaken personality in Election 2011 with party or candidate policy the main reason why candidates are given a number one vote.

Up to 31% of those polled in Cork South Central cited policy preference as the main factor behind their choice of number one.

Just 6% of those polled said they gave a candidate a first preference vote based on his or her party leader.

For 22% of voters, it’s still the appeal of the individual candidate while the candidate’s stance on local issues is a factor for 18% of those likely to vote in this constituency.

Just 17% of those polled said that they choose their first preference candidate based on their party preference, while another 7% said the fact that they lived in the same area as the candidate influenced their decision to give them a number one.

And so with party policy differences set to decide the next government, after their all-important stance on jobs and economic plans, the second most likely policy to influence voter choice is health, the health service and waiting lists.

The Irish Examiner/RedC poll shows health is an issue for one in five voters — with 6% of people making health their most pressing concern when voting.

Also weighing on voters’ minds is taxation — with 18% of voters saying the various political parties’ taxation policy will influence how they will vote. Just 6% of voters say taxation was their primary concern when deciding when to vote.

Another 14% of voters say that the candidate’s education policy and stance on local schools will influence how they vote, with 6% of voters saying it was their number one issue.

The cost of living is an issue for 7% of Cork South Central voters and roads and traffic a factor for another 6%. Just 5% of those polled cited emigration and immigration as an issue that influenced their vote.

Despite voters’ interest in jobs and the economy, party and candidate banking policy is only a concern for 4% of voters.

Government structure and political reform is a point of contention for just 4% of people — despite the proliferation of party policies in this area.

For 4% of Cork South Central voters, housing is an issue.