SINN FÉIN SUPPORTERS are less likely to use Twitter than other voters, according to research carried out by Ipsos MRBI.
Kieran O’Leary, director of the market research agency, told TheJournal.ie this fact “may be considered surprising given that polls show that Sinn Fein performs strongly amongst younger voters and this is where Twitter usage is typically higher”.
O’Leary pointed out that Sinn Fein has the highest number of Twitter followers (35,200), while Gerry Adams has almost three times as many Twitter followers as any other party leader (84,600).
That’s not too surprising given his rather unique approach to tweeting.
Some 2,000 adults were surveyed over the phone for the poll, in May 2015 and November 2014.
The research found that 7% of Sinn Féin voters said they use Twitter daily, compared to 14% of Labour supporters, 11% of people who back Fianna Fáil, 9% who vote for Fine Gael and 13% of people who support independents or others.
O’Leary noted that most voters don’t use Twitter, saying: “Whilst social media is an important element within the political debate, it certainly isn’t the only one.”
“It’s important to consider that we’re reporting here based on proportions of those saying they would vote for a particular party.
“Of course, party support levels differ quite significantly. So, although party A may have a higher proportion using Twitter than party B, party B may have a higher level of support – so, in real terms, have more voters using Twitter,” O’Leary said.
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