You can count on volatile electorate

EAMON de VALERA once pronounced, with a refreshing lack of modesty, that when he wanted to find out the views of the Irish people he only had to look into his own heart.

Nowadays politicians let opinion polls do the job for them.

You often hear politicians spouting out stuff about being close to the people and being in touch with the grassroots. But, in fact, there's often a contrary factor among the great unwashed that goes against the grain and against all consensus.