Vote Left, Transfer Left is a political phrase in Irish politics which gained prominence during the 2020 Irish general election and has been used thereafter. It encourages shared support among left-wing political parties via the single transferable vote electoral system.[1] In some cases, it has been codified into a formal electoral pact between candidates.
Background
editThe 2020 general election, "Vote Left, Transfer Left" was discussed among voters of Sinn Féin, the Green Party, People Before Profit, Social Democrats and independent candidates.[2][3] The pact encourages left-wing voters to transfer their votes to other left-wing parties.[4] There was evidence of such transfers in counts for the 2024 general election.[5] People Before Profit openly endorsed the pact in their manifesto.[6] The vote transfers had evidently increased since the 2016 general election.[7] Following the 2025 presidential election, debate of a pact emerged for the next general election.[8]
In May 2026, Holly Cairns, leader of the Social Democrats, ruled out any formal left-wing alliance ahead of the next general election.[9]
2026 by-elections
editA "Vote Left, Transfer Left" pact was used in the 2026 Galway West by-election. Following the election of Catherine Connolly as president of Ireland, a new Galway-based political group called Tonn na Clé (Left Wave) began promoting a "vote left, transfer left" pact.[10] In March 2026, it was reported that six candidates in Galway West proposed to agree a "Vote Left, Transfer Left" pact.[11][12]
It was promoted by the People Before Profit candidate in the 2026 Dublin Central by-election.[13] Five candidates attended Connigh Clé (Keep Left) events and endorsed the idea of a transfer pact but fell short of agreeing to a formal pact as had been done in Galway.[14]
Following the by-election results, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns celebrated the strength of the pact in the by-elections and endorsed the idea of similar pacts in future elections.[15][16][17]
References
edit- ↑ Burne, Louise (1 May 2024). "People Before Profit call for 'vote left transfer left' pact but excludes Labour". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Vote Left, Transfer Left?". Connolly Youth Movement. Archived from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Transfers - success of 'vote left, transfer left'". Kilkenny Live. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Post-Connolly alliance seeks long-term change to left-wing politics". The Irish Times. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ Müller, Stefan (17 November 2024). "The Poll of Polls and transfer patterns". RTÉ News.
- ↑ "People Before Profit call on 'all parties of the Left' not to prop up Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil in next government". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 8 April 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ Projections, Irish Election (5 April 2021). "The Impact of 'Vote Left Transfer Left' in GE2020". Irish Election Projections. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ Heston, Joseph (28 January 2026). "The arrival of a 'United Left' in Irish politics is not a foregone conclusion". Trinity News. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ Moloney, Aisling (31 May 2026). "Soc Dems leader Holly Cairns rules out formal left-wing alliance". Irish Independent. Retrieved 31 May 2026.
- ↑ Cullen, Róisín (22 March 2026). "Left wave looking to beat Govt in Galway West by-election". RTÉ News.
- ↑ "United Left Emerged in Galway West Bye-Election". universitytimes.ie. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ Kelly, Maxim (26 March 2026). "Six candidates agree historic election pact". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
- ↑ Ceannabháin, Eoghan Ó (13 March 2026). "Dublin Central left win could help end century of FF and FG government". Dublin Live. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ Matthews, Jane (24 April 2026). "Candidates call for left transfer pact as Dublin Central competition gets off to friendly start". The Journal.ie. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ Ryan, Órla (25 May 2026). "Left-wing Irish government 'within touching distance', says Holly Cairns". The Irish Times.
- ↑ Moore, Jane (24 May 2026). "Sinn Féin 'at a crossroads' and 'need to figure out where they're going', Holly Cairns says". The Journal.ie.
- ↑ Ní Aodha, Gráinne (24 May 2026). "Opposition parties question 'mixed message' from Sinn Fein after by-elections". Belfast Telegraph.