There is a “correalation” between Sinn Féin’s views on immigration and its drop in the polls, according to one political expert. 

The latest Ireland Thinks/Sunday Independent poll has found that while Sinn Féin remains the most popular party, it has dropped by two points to 27%. 

This is the lowest the party has polled in the Sunday Independent in three years, according to political correspondent Hugh O’Connell. 

He told The Anton Savage Show this drop could be connected to the party’s stance on immigration.

“One of the interesting finds is that in terms of what the issues the public are concerned about... immigration featured quite highly over the last few months,” he said. 

“A lot of people, including myself, would draw the correlation between that concern over immigration and the fall in popularity for Sinn Féin. 

“Sinn Féin has very much aligned itself with the mainstream Government position and hasn’t been calling for tougher measures. 

“Even as immigration as dropped down the list of priorities for some – it’s dropped 10 points in a month – Sinn Féin’s support, if you compare it to last September when it was 35%, it was quite a sharp decline.” 

Mr O’Connell also suggested the poll results could suggest people are “broadly pleased with the performance of the Government”. 

According to the poll, the majority of people (43%) would prefer the current Government over a Sinn Féin-led Government excluding Fine Gael of Fianna Fáil (39%). 

Sinn Féin leadership

Mr O’Connell also said Mary Lou McDonald is likely worried about the current leadership ratings. 

At 39%, Ms McDonald lags behind Leo Varadkar and Holly Cairns, both at 41%, Micheál Martin (47%) and most notably, Sinn Féin vice-President Michelle O’Neill at 55%. 

A new addition to the poll, Ms O’Neill has demonstrated a clear popularity among the Republic of Ireland. 

“This follows months of publicity around Michelle O’Neill,” Mr O’Connell said. 

“She’s been in headlines with a very well-received interview on The Late Late Show and she was in Windsor Park for the first time for the Northern Ireland women’s game. 

“She stood for God Save the King, when traditionally Sinn Féin ministers would turn up late after the national anthems. 

“It’s a significant finding, I think, and I think Sinn Féin will be looking at that number.” 

The poll also found that the majority (33%) of people want a general election when scheduled in 2025. Some 19% of people who want it immediately and 29% want it in the next six months. 

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