Comment on Times Change? For some… by Jim Monaghan

The main parties are dependent on patronage for support. In Dun Laoghaire a squabble between the 2 FFers in Dalkey showed that most of them had received some sort of patronage. Being a prison visitor gives a lot of expenses.
Labour has a declining number of genuine supporters, a relic of 60s activism.
SF have a real corps of dedicated people.
Most independents have a personal machine.
Oh Most TDs from the main parties have personal entourages who are not that much loyal to their parties as such