Editorial: Parties should take results as a warning against complacency

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald acknowledged her party's performance had been underwhelming. Photo: PA

Editorial

Conformity, they say, is the jailer of freedom. When it comes to second-guessing the voting intentions of the nation, this would seem to be the case. The consensus was that when the votes were counted, the established parties would take a hiding and Sinn Féin would be riding high.

But, as acknowledged by party leader Mary Lou McDonald: “It hasn’t been our day and frustration – anger, indeed – with government policy on this occasion has translated into votes for Independents and others.”