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Degree of support among Protestants will enhance McGuinness standing
Monday, 30 November 2009
Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness after being sworn in as ministers of the Northern Ireland Assembley, Stormont. May 8, 2007.
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While Martin McGuinness’ approval rating is significant, his level of cross-community endorsement, with 11% of Protestants polled having cited him as the minister who has impressed them the most, makes it even more so. Sinn Fein’s Michele Gildernew also polls well, coming second in the approval stakes, and again with support from both communities.
Their standing is in stark contrast to that of their party colleague Caitriona Ruane whose performance has disappointed nearly a third of the poll. Given the difficulties across the education portfolio this criticism is hardly surprising. Disapproval comes from both communities.
Peter Robinson is likely to be unhappy with his personal showing. While his approval rating of 7% is in line with that of Employment Minister and UUP leader Sir Reg Empey, the First Minister will surely have hoped for a higher level of public approval, his coming second to Ms Ruane as the most disappointing minister, in particular, likely to be a surprise to many. The DUP, however, can take solace in the fact that at 9% Arlene Foster is the most impressive unionist minister.
The findings regarding both politicians’ expenses and MLA/MP double-jobbing can only be described as conclusive. For 75% of those polled the expenses scandals of the last two years have damaged their view of politicians, a figure that must surely highlight the need for them to re-establish trust and credibility with the electorate.
Linda Beers is managing director of Inform Communications
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The unpalative truth about N.Ireland is that the electorate have never allowed themselves to vote outside of their little boxes. The politicians all know this and make good use of this knowledge to ensure that they get access to their salaries and expenses without having to do very much.When the day dawns that a catholic/protestant will look at policies and manifestos without their orange/green spectacles and think for themselves about what is best for them and not the MLAs, then good governance may emerge.
Posted by HC | 02.12.09, 12:08 GMT
I am a Unionist and I would have to say that I am more impressed with Martin MaGuinness as a minister than I am with Peter Robinson, that does not mean I would ever vote or support Sinn Fein/IRA.
I don't understand what the problem is, the question was 'which politician has most impressed you', not who would you vote for? As I said, MaGuinness has impressed me, he's been diplomatic, positive and represtented Stormont well on the international scene; I find Robinson quite childish, dour and generally creates a negative impression, just my opinion.
It's time for the Unionist politicians to take their sash and bolder hats off and lighted up a bit, accept that Sinn Fein are in government and engage with their elected peers such as Martin MaGuinness, then they may poll higher in the ratings next time!
Posted by Steven73 | 02.12.09, 09:49 GMT
mc guinness and paisley,both in their own way for years convinced their ignorant bigoted followers to hate and depise each other resulting in death and misery.the former is now a respected m.p.and the other a beloved diplomat,they must be chuckling at the suckers who got them what they wanted all along power
Posted by robert | 01.12.09, 19:56 GMT
Hilarious. Listen to all the delusional armchair generals posting here. Unionists, Protestants call them whatever you want WILL NEVER accept him or ANY of his Sinn Fein comrades, EVER. We would rather have a Fianna Failer from the south than Sinn Fein, the blood of Irishmen and women are forever stained on their hands.
Posted by Gary | 01.12.09, 18:31 GMT
"Degree of support among Protestants will enhance McGuinness standing"
Well, he is helpling administer British rule in Northern Ireland, so I expect views on him may soften, particularly while he spins amusing sounds bytes every now and then about how "unification" is juuuuuust around the corner....again...and has his "fans" drooling at the prospect of this hilarious notion...lol! How mean!
Posted by mark's nemesis | 01.12.09, 15:21 GMT
If we put the past aside for a few minutes (which we rarely do), I can see why he is popular. He is engaging, hard working and genuine. Whilst Sinn Fein's ultimate objective remains, he realises that in the meantime, we have to co-exist and co-operate to address regular day to day issues for the benefit of all.
Posted by BM | 01.12.09, 14:37 GMT
"Linda, wise up. Do you really fall for this noinsense? No unionist admires marty from the bogside IRA.
He should be in prison, and you should be in an aslyum."
And you, before launching into nonsensical rants, should learn how to spell. Noinsense, aslyum - what on earth are these strange concepts? (Perhaps they're examples of the DIY language known as Ulster Scots.)
Then again, coming from a neanderthal apartheid TUV supporter, what more can one expect.
The time for colonialism is coming to a swift end stve (or should one say Mickey?), and how it seems to be stirring the eternal buffoon which resides inside your head.
Posted by Dublin | 01.12.09, 13:32 GMT
Thankfully you and your ilk are fading into the past, stve. You just stick with the TUV while the rest of the population move steadily forward.
Who knows maybe their is a place for extreme unionist fundamentalism but it would have to allow room for others, especially those who represent a significant portion of Northern Ireland. Catholic, protestant and others.
Posted by Ulysses32 | 01.12.09, 13:31 GMT
Linda, wise up. Do you really fall for this noinsense? No unionist admires marty from the bogside IRA.
He should be in prison, and you should be in an aslyum.
Posted by stve | 01.12.09, 11:29 GMT
The contrast between Mc Guinness and the DUP couldn't be more stark.
Mc Guinness has displayed a willingness to make political progress and face down those from his own community who remain in the past.
The DUP's only really policy is to oppose anything that SF calls for while they try to save their electoral hide by trying to out-TUV Jim Allister
Posted by ger | 30.11.09, 17:51 GMT
You'd be surprised how many younger Protestants actually quite like SF. Putting aside the dodgier aspects of their past they are the only party which really caters to progressive minded non-religious fundamentalists. Less young people than you think care about being part of the UK.
I've often thought SF should actually reach out to young Protestants.
Posted by BenjiBear | 30.11.09, 10:57 GMT