'I am not a yes woman' - Heather Humphreys on political ambition, the power of prayer and the private family ordeal that shaped her

"Fine Gael's candidate for the Áras is appealing for Fianna Fáil supporters to lend her their vote after a tumultuous week on the campaign trail"

"In the course of the bitter 2011 general election campaign, Phil Hogan made a pitch to Fianna Fáil voters to "lend their vote" to Fine Gael."

"It was an intervention that was decisive in securing his party's large majority, as well as laying the foundations for the grand coalition of the once-bitter rivals that prevails today."

Fine Gael's candidate for the Áras is appealing for Fianna Fáil supporters to lend her their vote after a tumultuous week on the campaign trail. The appeal requests tactical backing from traditional Fianna Fáil voters to bolster the Fine Gael candidacy. A historical parallel is presented: during the bitter 2011 general election Phil Hogan asked Fianna Fáil voters to "lend their vote" to Fine Gael. That intervention helped deliver a large majority for Fine Gael and laid the foundations for the grand coalition between once-bitter rivals. The current plea aims to replicate cross-party support to overcome recent campaign difficulties.

Read at Independent