These policies proved very popular with Irish voters and support for Fianna Fáil grew rapidly, not least due to widespread dissatisfaction with Cumann na nGaedheal. The government’s economic austerity had made them quite unpopular, especially after they cut the old age pension. In February 1927 Kevin O’Higgins brought in the Intoxicating Liquor Act, which reduced the number of pubs, imposed stricter guidelines on the sale of alcohol and brought in new rules on opening hours. This further decreased Cumann na nGaedheal’s popularity.
The 1927 General Election
De Valera spent the latter half of 1926 touring the USA raising funds for the election due to be held in June 1927. Fianna Fáil secured 44 seats in their first election, while Cumann na nGaedheal’s support dropped sharply, and they won just 47.
Results of the June 1927 General Election: Parties
Cumann na nGaedheal Fianna Fáil Labour
Sinn Féin Farmers’ Party
Independents and Others Total:
August 1923 63
N/A 14 44 15 17
153 The election was significant for a number of reasons:
• It showed that the people had lost faith in Sinn Féin and its extremist attitude towards the Dáil. The people moved their support to the more moderate Fianna Fáil.
• Labour’s numbers increased, most likely due to their work as an opposition party in the previous years.
• Cumann na nGaedheal was in real decline and looked unlikely to hold on to power. 184 LEAVING CERTIFICATE HISTORY
