Inconsistent messages in last-minute pleas

Fine Gael candidates ignored a proposed voting pact with Labour in last-minute leaflet drops — only urging votes for Fine Gael.

Leaflets dropped through doors yesterday morning called on voters to support the Fine Gael candidate, but made no mention of the Labour representative in the constituency.

One example of this was the party’s Dublin North West candidate, Noel Rock, who in a last-minute plea to voters for support, failed to mention Labour TD John Lyons.

Explaining the leaflet, Mr Rock told the Irish Examiner such a vote transfer pact never came to fruition in the constituency between himself and Mr Lyons. “Some constituencies did them and others didn’t,” he said. “I was willing and happy to do but I spoke to John and he said he wasn’t interested, so it didn’t happen.”

Who would win the election if it was based on tweets? https://t.co/E6oiKgjwBp (DOD) #GE16 pic.twitter.com/pDmkwI6ges

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) February 26, 2016

In the final 24 hours before polls opened yesterday, Fine Gael ramped up leaflet drops in marginal constituencies.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Joan Burton held a final press conference and photo call and made a final appeal by encouraging transfers between the two parties.

However, on the eve of polling, Mr Kenny, in a personal email plea to party supporters wrote: “The only way to keep the recovery going and ensure its benefits reach every home in Ireland is to vote Fine Gael in your area.”

Here are the turnout figures and what the party leaders are saying https://t.co/LP1MyOyBUz pic.twitter.com/gMPjnVUh3F

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) February 26, 2016

He encouraged his party’s supporters to not only vote for Fine Gael but also to “forward this email on to your friends and encourage them to vote for Fine Gael candidates in their area too”.

All the main parties sought to connect with supporters using social media. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, and Sinn Féin placed huge emphasis on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to influence voters.

In a letter, MEP and director of elections Brian Hayes urged Fine Gael’s supporters to make 20 or 30 calls to friends and family urging people to vote for the party’s candidates, and text their contacts looking for votes.

He wrote: “I believe we are on the cusp of returning to Government. We can do this. Our message of stability and not risking the recovery is now getting real traction amongst the public.”

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