Small parties and independents set to be the big winners at local level

THE key backdrop to the 2002 general election was the public view on the competence of both the Government and the opposition.

This will also be the key issue of the 2004 local and European elections. In 2002, the voters re-elected the outgoing Fianna Fáil-led Government, albeit again with the restraining influence of the Progressive Democrats.

However, on election day 2002 the electorate changed the opposition, and changed it radically.