J.6624-Sunday-Times-June-2015-Report

Sunday Times/Behaviour & Attitudes Opinion Poll SeriesParty Support and Leader Satisfaction LevelsMicheál Martin’s standing as leader of Fianna Fáil has, however, improved significantly by fivepercentage points – the only party leader who has registered a significant uplift.Notwithstanding that, Martin’s satisfaction rating of 40% today is merely on a par with hisSummer/Autumn 2014 level – its real significance is that his ongoing slide in popularity hasfinally been arrested.Most encouragingly for the Soldiers of Destiny, however, is the increase in Fianna Fáil partysupport to 21% following 12 months (May 2014 – May 2015) stuck on an average 18%. 21%brings the party back up to its average support level of March 2013 to April 2014, whenFianna Fáil and Fine Gael were tussling for top spot alongside the Independent bloc.An analysis of those sections of the electorate driving this increase in Fianna Fáil support isrevealing. Specifically, the party’s support has improved particularly so amongst workingclass C2DEs and residents outside the main urban areas. In other words, the disenfranchisednon-urban ordinary worker who continues to suffer despite the promises of better things tocome.In addition to this dynamic, it is a fact that practically all of Fianna Fáil’s improvement isaccounted for by those aged 55 years + - that very constituency which grew up when FiannaFáil was at the height of its populist power, and when its natural level of support stood at inor around 40%.19