Pendulum of power swinging to parties outside the mainstream

An earthquake is rumbling under Irish politics. Below the froth and noise of the campaign trail, the clashes and soundbites, pitches and policies, a seismic shift is under way.

The pendulum of power is swinging. But it isn’t swinging from one party to another. It is swinging towards groups, coalitions, and alliances outside of the mainstream.

It is swinging, especially, towards candidates willing to step into the political ring and fight elections outside of any party machinery, and without a party brand. We are seeing the rise of the Independents.