Abortion headache will contribute to political stability until next year

Imagine either of the two parties finding themselves with abortion as an election issue, writes Alison O’Connor

WHAT would happen if it was now Fine Gael was in the throes of a general election campaign using the slogan “Keep the Recovery Going”? They would do far better, that’s what. But Fianna Fáil would also do better.

The mood in the country has changed, and that isn’t as a result of this week’s budget, although it has contributed to the feeling of lift. We have been in a process of moving on emotionally. The scars remain, but we are beginning to trust in the future again, and feel less rage against the political establishment for the austerity years. This is clear from the opinion polls and the steady rise for the two main parties.