The Pact Election - Comment
Hopkinson
argues that the election "demonstrated a popular … acceptance of realistic
compromise in Anglo-Irish relations. … [and] that social and economic
issues and, more particularly, the desire for settled government were of
greater import to [the electorate] than the endless debate over constitutional
symbols and authority" (Hopkinson (1988), pg
111). Macardle argues that, if the election is
seen as not on the Treaty but for or against government by a Coalition, then
there is a clear mandate for the Coalition. She goes on to say that
“Daily, De Valera expected a request from Michael Collins to forward the names
selected by his Part for the Coalition Cabinet. No such request
came.” However, Curran disputes this argument saying that “Whatever they
might say later, Republicans in 1922 were in no doubt about their defeat in the
polls. De Valera conceded defeat before the final returns were counted,
blaming it on Britain’s threat of war”