Gilmore rules out coalition deal with Fianna Fáil

LABOUR has ruled out going into government with Fianna Fáil after the next general election, insisting that the desire for change has brought about its dramatic surge in support.

Labour leader, Eamon Gilmore, said his party had reached an “historic first” after leading an opinion poll with 32% support ahead of Fine Gael’s 28%, and Fianna Fáil’s 17%.

“I’m very pleased with that,” he said. “It is reflecting a very strong desire for change in the country.”

In the event of similar results in a general election, Mr Gilmore said it was not his party’s aim to form a coalition of the left, including Sinn Féin and the Greens, but that “the poll opens up is a the prospect of a Labour-led Government after the next general election”.

The country is “in a mess” he said, and in order for it to recover, Fianna Fáil must be put out of office.

“They’ve made a mess of this country, they’ve made a mess of this economy.

“Anybody who wants to see that documented has only to read the two reports published this week. And I am determined that, come what may, they will be put into opposition at the next election.”

Labour has been accused of winning support by sitting on the fence and not committing itself to any firm policies, including its decision not to take a position on how public sector workers should vote on the Croke Park deal.

Mr Gilmore said he was showing “responsible leadership and good judgment” by not telling people how to vote on the deal.

“I don’t believe politicians, political parties, political leaders should interfere with that decision and allow them to make the decision themselves. I believe that is an exercise of good judgment on my part.”

His party has not been sitting on the fence, he insisted. “People are connecting with the Labour Party are the positive messages that we have been putting forward, are the positive ideas we have been putting forward.

“We haven’t mired ourselves in just talking about the public finances or the banks, but that we have been talking about jobs and economic recovery and connecting with people in how that should be done.”