Joan Burton’s appointment as Labour leader gets mixed poll response

Women more likely than men to say they would now vote Labour

Tánaiste Joan Burton after her election in July as the new leader of the Labour Party Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Tánaiste Joan Burton after her election in July as the new leader of the Labour Party Photograph: Cyril Byrne

While Joan Burton is the most popular party leader,

voters gave a mixed response when asked if they were more likely to vote Labour as a result of the change of leadership.

Some 16 per cent said they were more likely to vote Labour as a result of the change but 23 per cent said they were less likely, 56 per cent said it made no difference, and 5 per cent had no opinion.

Labour’s own supporters were more enthusiastic, with 52 per cent saying they were more likely to vote for the party, 8 per cent less likely, 33 per cent said it would make no difference, and 7 per cent had no opinion.

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Fine Gael supporters were also positive about the change, with 21 per cent saying they were more likely to vote Labour, 15 per cent less likely, 61 per cent said it would make no difference, and 3 per cent had no opinion.

Ms Burton’s elevation had a stronger positive impact for Labour among middle-class voters than working-class voters. The best-off AB voters were the most favourably impressed by the change.

Stephen Collins

Stephen Collins

Stephen Collins is a columnist with and former political editor of The Irish Times