Support drops for Sinn Féin in latest public opinion poll

It's the first such drop in popularity since March.

Sinn Féin, who have been riding the crest of a public opinion-focused popularity wave all year, has finally taken something of a knock following the latest such poll. Conducted by the Sunday Independent and Ireland Thinks, the new poll sees Mary Lou McDonald's party, which assembled for its Ard Fheis event this weekend, retain top spot overall with 34%, though with a three-point drop on the last poll. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, meanwhile, saw no change at all, registering at 21% and 17%, respectively. The poll of just over 1,000 people saw a slight rise in popularity for Solidarity–People Before Profit, Social Democrats and Aontú, while the Green Party suffered a dip. https://twitter.com/MaryLouMcDonald/status/1588991950564515840

'Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have had their time' - Mary Lou McDonald

The poll results look like this:

Sinn Féin | 34% (-3) Fine Gael | 21% (no change) Fianna Fáil | 17% (no change) Independents / Others | 10% (+2) Solidarity–People Before Profit | 5% (+1) Social Democrats | 4% (+1) Aontú | 4% (+1) Labour | 3% (no change) Green Party | 3% (-3)

During its Ard Fheis in Dublin on Saturday, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald once again called for a new Government to be installed, saying that both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have "had their time" in office. Referring to the "political hokey-pokey" of the rotating Taoiseach system, McDonald slammed the "cosy club" that has been a constant power in Dáil Éireann. "Change can't be stopped by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, now so joined at the hip that it doesn't matter to them which leader is Taoiseach. "Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have had their time, had their chance," she added. "It's time for a new government, a government of change, a government for the people." Over 2,000 party members attended the event. McDonald also reiterated her vision for and commitment to a united Ireland, promising that should her plans come to fruition, everyone in the country will be "cherished, included, respected as equal citizens". Featured Image via Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

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