Third of FG supporters prefer Gilmore as Taoiseach

More than a third of Fine Gael voters think Eamon Gilmore would make a better Taoiseach than party leader Enda Kenny, a new poll has revealed.

The Red C poll, commissioned by Paddy Power bookmakers, found that 34% of Fine Gael voters would choose Mr Gilmore over Mr Kenny when asked to put party support aside and choose the most suitable Taoiseach.

The survey also found that barely more than half of Fine Gael supporters (51%) would favour Mr Kenny as Taoiseach, with only 24% of all of those polled favouring the Castlebar native.

The news is not good for Brian Cowen either, with less than half (45%) of Fianna Fáil supporters favouring his re-election as Taoiseach. Only 11% of those polled overall favoured Mr Cowen to lead the country.

Mr Gilmore remains the nation’s favourite choice to become the next Taoiseach, with 45% of all respondents choosing the Labour Party leader - almost twice the number supporting Mr Kenny - including 79% of his own party’s supporters.

Support for Mr Gilmore is highest among middle 35-54 year old age groups, but is relatively consistent across most demographic groups.

Mr Kenny gets quite high levels of support among the youngest 18-34 year old age groups, but does poorly among key 35-54 year olds.

His support is also very weak in Munster, and even in Connaught/Ulster it remains depressed.

Red C interviewed a random sample of 1008 adults aged 18+ by telephone between the Dec 13-15, 2010.