Prominent pro-life politicians who were very vocal during the abortion referendum have retained their seats while prominent pro-choice candidates lost theirs in an election which has changed the face of Irish politics.

Many high-profile pro-choice politicians lost favour with voters including Katherine Zappone, Lisa Chambers, Regina Doherty, Joan Burton, Ruth Coppinger, Jan O’Sullivan, Catherine Noone, Mary Mitchell O’Connor and Kate O’Connell in this year’s General Election.

The 15 TDs who voted against abortion and retained their seats are Aontú’s Peader Tóibín, Fianna Fáil TDs Éamon O Cuív, Marc MacSharry, John McGuinness and Mary Butler, Independents Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, Michael Lowry, Michael Fitzmaurice, Carol Nolan, Mattie McGrath, Michael Collins, Peter Fitzpatrick, Noel Grealish and Minister of State and Independent TD Sean Canney.

With those who campaigned on the pro-choice side being largely snubbed by their voter base, this could point to the abortion debate no longer being a factor in voters’ decision making, with the referendum already passed in 2018.

Pro-life politicians seem to have a more loyal following, but without more evidence it would be impossible to gauge how important their stance on abortion was to voters.

[Irish Catholic]