Michael Healy-Rae reminded the Government of its real Opposition: rural Ireland |
Last week’s blockade of ports and main roads is the starkest example yet of how much times have changed. What we saw is a further stage in the fragmentation of political power. Political choice in this country is often seen as between the Government parties and their regional Independent supporters on one side and the newly united left – the so-called Connolly coalition – on the other.
In fact, the real challenger in this Dáil is disaffected rural communities.
When Fianna Fáil (after 2011) and Fine Gael (in 2016) became smaller parties, they became more rural and more dependent on an older demographic. The three entities in Government are now collectively – and to use the term as the badge of pride it is – the most culchie Government since mass urbanisation began more than 50 years ago.
But rural Ireland is still the sharpest point of political pressure on this Government.
Coalition suffers first major defection as Michael Healy-Rae resigns
Fuel protests live updates: Government faces confidence motion and vote on €505m support package
Michael Healy-Rae resignation: Is the Coalition now under threat?
Fintan O’Toole: Ireland’s far-right movement will emerge from the ‘breakfast roll-atariat’
This is a fundamental change from more than a decade ago, when an overwhelmingly urban phenomenon – water charge protests – diminished Fine Gael and almost destroyed Labour.
The volatility of rural Ireland has serious implications for a Coalition that is dependent on it for Dáil seats, as the decision of Michael Healy-Rae to resign as Minister of State and vote against the Government - as did his brother Danny - made........