Independents Slump As Parties Regain Support
A poll published today for the Sunday Independent by Milward Brown has seen support for Independents slump 10 points since the General Election. Support for Independents is at an 8% a low not seen in Milward Brown polling since September 2013.In contrast the political parties have seen their position improve since General Election, Fine Gael are up four to 30%, Fianna Fail up two to 26% while Sinn Fein are six to 20%.The change in support from Independents to the parties is likely a reflection of the Independent TDs' support of and part in the current Government.
| Party | Support (%) | +/- |
| Fine Gael | 30 | +4 |
| Fianna Fail | 26 | +2 |
| Sinn Fein | 20 | +6 |
| Labour | 7 | - |
| AAAPBP | 4 | - |
| Greens | 3 | - |
| Social Democrats | 2 | -1 |
| Independents | 8 | -10 |
The poll of 1,000 face-to-face interviews was taken between 18th & 29th JuneDespite the increase in support for Fine Gael, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny remains the most unpopular leader in the poll with only 27% approval, while Government approval is at 28%. This will be a number watched closely over the coming months & indeed years as people come to terms with the Independents in Government.(See also: The Government: Who are They?)Fianna Fail's Michael Martin continues on as the most popular leader with 43% approval.Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein has a 31% approval rating while new Labour leader Brendan Howlin starts his leadership with 27%, which is an improvement on Joan Burton's approval rating of 22%.The poll also found that Sinn Fein is the most transfer-toxic party in the state with 40% of respondents saying they would never vote for the party. Fine Gael was next highest on 35%, followed by Labour on 28%, Fianna Fail on 25%, Green Party on 18% Anti-Austerity Alliance/People Before Profit on 17%, Socialist Party on 16%, and Social Democrats on 8%.