Left-wing backlash fails to make waves

EAMON GILMORE received overwhelming backing to take Labour into government — despite a left-wing backlash against coalition with Fine Gael.

Delegates at a conference voted by more than nine-to-one in a show of hands to approve the Programme for Government which will put them in power for the first time in 14 years.

A two-hour debate saw passionate speakers on both sides as the party’s left warned Labour faced being reduced to a “niche party” again at the next election if it propped-up Enda Kenny rather than lead opposition to his right-wing economic policies.

Mr Gilmore said it would be a betrayal of those who voted Labour to pass up the opportunity to put the party’s job creation and social justice agenda into practice.

He moved to reassure party members about Labour’s influence in a cabinet expected to be dominated by Fine Gael by insisting key fiscal and economic policy would be decided by a four-person inner circle compromising the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, finance minister and a new economic reform minister.

Although the cabinet make-up is unlikely to emerge until the Dáil resumes on Wednesday, the Labour hierarchy made it clear they expected parity between the parties in the four-person forum.

Dublin TD Tommy Broughan was the only deputy to speak against coalition, insisting the new government would be carrying out “failed” Fianna Fáil policies with a few “bells and whistles” added from Labour.

Labour housing spokesperson Ciarán Lynch insisted much of the party’s agenda on protecting families struggling to pay mortgages had been taken on board in the Programme for Government, though he warned that the new coalition’s honeymoon would be as short as “a black widow spider’s”.

One of the deal’s negotiators Brendan Howlin said a renewal of the EU/IMF rescue package would be the cornerstone of the partnership.

“We have to repair broken bridges across our European partners, to build up an understanding of our position,” he said.

“It’s in everybody’s interests, not only the national interest of Ireland, but in Europe’s interest and in the interest of maintaining the euro, that we have a path that is sustainable out of the economic hole that we find ourselves in now,” he said.

Pro-leadership speakers cited a block on any graduation tax, and protection of social welfare payments as Labour achievements.

However, opponents warned Labour would be punished at the next election for adopting the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael economic “straitjacket” when it should instead lead opposition to Mr Kenny from the left and so ensure a bigger victory at the next general election.