Still reeling from the shocks of Wednesday's British elections, the Sunday Show's panel sat down to discuss all the biggest stories from today's papers.

Joining Shane Coleman were UCC Senior Lecturer of Sociology Niamh Hourigan and Examiner columnist and former government advisor Gerard Howlin.

With pre-election polls in the UK proving disastrously wrong, the panelists wondered whether there might be a 'shy Fianna Fáil' vote at home to match the 'shy Tory' vote there. Howlin said the party has strong local candidates to prop it up despite its overall unpopularity.

"Our politics is so local, so clientelist that if you have a good local candidate you can lift the vote," he said.

Hanlon said the possibility of out largest trading partner leaving the common market "will dominate our politics and policies."

Hourigan agreed with historian Niall Fergusons column in the Times, in which he declared the results a great endorsement of austerity. She says the Tories were open about their plans to slash spending and welfare, and that's preciselyt what they'll do.

For Ireland's left, it may be disconcerting that austerity policies could recieve such resounding support by the public.

The Independent reports today that several Fine Gael ministers are pushing for Autumn elections to capitalise on the improving economy.

Neither columnist though it likely or beneficial for the government, with Howlin saying it would leave them looking opportunistic and Hourigan saying neither Labour or Fine Gael "have any notion of going anywhere."

The likely increase of public sector pay by two per cent was also discussed. Both panelists thought it unwise to spend half of the money announced in the 'Spring Statement' in this area. Hourigan said there needs to be a more nuanced view of the strata within the public sector - and not to view it as a "monolith."

As unions say the increase should raise to seven per cent, Howlin identifies a "clear conflict between the vested interest of the public sector and the need for spending."