In 1977, 1987 and 1997, FG/Labour governments were despatched to the opposition benches following a general election. What lessons, if any, can be taken from those defeats today? What were the contexts – economic, social and political – against which those election campaigns were played out? Did opinion polls shape the narrative, and what was the role of the media?

Historian Diarmaid Ferriter , Irish Times Political Editor Stephen Collins and political scientist Theresa Reidy join Hugh to discuss the events of those elections, from the infamous 'Tullymander' in 1977, to ‘Health Cuts Hurt the Old, the Sick and the Handicapped' in 1987 and 'It’s Payback Time' in 1997.