Voters seem to have a clarity the parties lack

THOSE concerned for peace and the triumph of reason got a sharp reminder in recent weeks just how slight an influence reason and good will exert upon political events. The old saw that while there are many men of principle in politics there is no party of principle asserting itself, as partisanship and jingoistic jockeying for position allowed a collective myopia to obscure vital national interests, proved true.

But if politicians on these islands allowed their judgment to be clouded, views of the voters seemed as sharp and perceptive as ever.

It is unlikely that there was much cheering in the Dáil bar among Fianna Fáil voters when the latest ‘Irish Times’ opinion poll results came through.

Fine Gael’s five-point surge in support was registered in the teeth of a Brexit tempest, after a political squall over Frances Fitzgerald, and emails threatening to capsize the rickety craft that is the confidence-and-supply arrangement. Thankfully, sanity prevailed.

That serious issues were raised and needed to be addressed was never at issue. But the priority must be Brexit for now, and playing narrow, blinkered party politics will come at a cost. This time it is Fine Gael that has benefited from a political dividend for recognising the enormity of the crisis and driving the agenda, despite the distractions.

Fine Gael registered 36pc, Fianna Fáil 25pc, Sinn Féin 19pc (no change), Labour 4pc, Independents/others 16pc. Some 23pc are still undecided. With so much in the balance in the midst of a national crisis, the lesson must be that putting first things first matters to voters and those who play with fire will be burned.