FG pact with Labour a ‘blunder’, warns McDowell

FINE Gael’s decision to form a pre-election pact with Labour will prove “a monumental political blunder”, Táinaiste and PD leader Michael McDowell has predicted.

In a speech attacking Labour’s economic policies, Mr McDowell said Fine Gael would come to regret the pact known as the “Mullingar Accord”.

He claimed Labour had a history of opposing the reduction of State spending to improve financial stability. Labour also disliked economic liberalisation, he said, and was traditionally uncomfortable with tax cuts.