Fine Gael Launch “Broken Promises” Online Poll

A very interesting piece of web-usage was unveiled today by Fine Gael. Yesterday at leader’s questions, Enda asked Bertie about five different “broken promises” at the time it seemed like an invitation to Bert-speak and right on cue the man submerged himself in his tie and began muttering figures.

All very ordinary, run of the mill banter for leader’s questions. Kenny’s final question to the Taoiseach was, I felt, a decent rhetorical point, “After making those five promises, do any of them keep the Taoiseach awake at night?”

Bertie managed to wangle out without giving a concrete answer (how could any politician answer a question like that? - It would give them a rash). It seems though that these five questions were more than a simple debating exercise, this morning Fine Gael have launched a poll on their website. Voters can pick which of the broken promises annoy them most.

The five headings are; healthcare, prisons/crime, e-voting, class sizes and transport* (notice the regular appearance of Minister Cullen’s briefs there-easy pickings).

The idea and presentation are rock solid from a party point of view, no debate, these are the facts which one annoys you most? Then there is scope for some venting once you have voted (venting which will no doubt be used as public opinion in due course). Its a very interesting way to get people on to Fine Gael’s message online while keeping a tight control over the party’s message and content. However the right of reply has to occur somewhere. Pity FF or the PDs dont have any. Feel free to jump in and defend them in the comments.

*The five broken promises;

Hospital Waiting Lists
“We will permanently end waiting lists in our hospitals within two years…”
(Michael Martin, Minister for Health, 6th May 2002)

Prisons & Crime
“We will…avoid overcrowding and the reopening of the revolving door.”
(FF-PD Programme for Government 2002)

E-Voting
“The €52 million investment by this Government on behalf of the taxpayers is absolutely secure and we will see those machines used.”
(Martin Cullen, Minister for Transport, Prime Time, 4th May 2004)

Class Sizes
“[By 2007]…the average size of classes for children under nine…will be below…20:1”
(FF-PD Programme for Government 2002)*

Transport
“We will develop the metro for Dublin…achieving a link to Dublin Airport by 2007.”
(FF-PD Programme for Government 2002)