Smaller parties take to social media to push their campaign messages ahead of election
Smaller parties ramped up their campaign messages on the last full day of canvassing before voters go to the polls.
This followed the last TV debate involving the five small parties, where leaders clashed on climate change policies, health reform pledges and coalition options.
Many leaders and their candidates also took to social media today to spread one final message ahead of bad weather that is expected to sweep the country on voting day.
The Green Party highlighted climate change protestors, including school children and young adults, who joined together in Dublin City centre and chanted for action now.
Climate strikes in Galway#Galway #ClimateStrike #FridaysForFuture pic.twitter.com/9S0Mlu77qu
— Senator Pauline O'Reilly (@paulinegalway) February 7, 2020
Several hundred students joined the now weekly Friday protest.
Labour candidates and campaigners also rallied on the doorsteps after their leader, Brendan Howlin, made overtures to other smaller parties about working together — once votes are counted.
Speaking on RTÉ's Prime Time election debate, Mr Howlin said it is important to have a critical mass of left parties after Saturday’s general election.
We will end the waste of public money and build homes and fix health.
— The Labour Party (@labour) February 6, 2020
We are not promising big tax giveaways which won’t fix the biggest crises we face in Ireland. #rtept #GE2020 pic.twitter.com/zvGnhCufNJ
Mr Howlin also said he wants to sit down with the Green Party and the Social Democrats next week to hammer out a “progressive agenda” to respond to crucial issues such as Health and Climate Change.
Labour also declared today that Health has been the "forgotten issue" of the campaign.
Health spokesman, Alan Kelly, responded to new hospital trolley figures, saying: “Less than 24 hours before Ireland goes to the polls and we have 450 patients on trolleys in our hospitals, with 55 people waiting on a bed in University Hospital of Limerick, alone. These figures only serve to compound Fine Gael’s failings after 9 years in government, with nothing done to tackle this persistent and unrelenting issue.
The leaders of the smaller political parties — who could be king-makers in talks to form the next government — made their final pitches for votes in the RTÉ debate, ahead of the broadcasting moratorium coming into place this afternoon.
Our favourite Game of Thrones actor, Liam Cunningham- calling for your number 1 vote for Solidarity- People before Profit.
— People Before Profit (@pb4p) February 7, 2020
#VotePBP #VoteLeft #VoteForBetter #transferleft #changeiscoming #GE2020 #GeneralElection2020 #GeneralElection pic.twitter.com/RXhH6w2oeI
Solidarity-People Before Profit TD, Ruth Coppinger, made a pledge that — if in power — her party would bring in free public transport.
Social Democrats leaders, Roisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy, also took to Bray today, to support local Wicklow candidate, Jennifer Whitmore, declaring that there is “an alternative”.
Our commitment to you: honest politics and accountable politics.
— Social Democrats (@SocDems) February 7, 2020
We will stand up for you and for your family.
Please give your No. 1 vote to your #SocDems candidate@RoisinShortall and @CathMurphyTD #VoteForBetter#GE2020 pic.twitter.com/IG9nn85dt5
Meanwhile, with stormy weather expected to sweep over the country tomorrow, there are fears this could impact on turnout. While many hope turnout will be above 60%, as it is a Saturday vote, there are also a number of major sporting fixtures tomorrow, in rugby and GAA.
However, politicians believe that voters will get to polling stations early in the day ahead of the expected change in the weather and the late afternoon fixtures.
