Back Room: The rise of the independents and stable government

Recent by-elections show the enduring political popularity of independents and smaller parties. On paper, Roscommon South-Leitrim was made for Fianna Fáil to win. The constituency is rural and has an older than average electorate at a time when the government parties are unpopular. And Fianna Fáil had a credible candidate who is a member of Roscommon County Council and who had ample resources thrown behind him. Yet the seat was won by an ...