Labour willing to back ‘Bread and Roses’ policies

Senior Labour figures admit the party is willing to vote for policies introduced by the next government, in a move which could prop up an administration formed by outgoing Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

‘Bread and Roses’ policies proposed by a Fine Gael-led administration including on matters such as housing, the living wage and liberalising abortion would be supported by Labour, party figures say.

The comments are the first sign that Labour, now preparing to leave government, could support a government from the opposition benches — but case-by-case.

The party’s disastrous election campaign will be discussed at a gathering of election candidates in west Dublin today. Measures to rebuild the party and its future leadership will also be debated.

Newly elected Labour chairman Willie Penrose confirmed that his party would consider voting for, what he termed, “bread and roses” and traditional values linked to Labour if they were introduced by the next government.

“There may be issues we can make a contribution to, issues we respect. We shouldn’t be afraid to support those. We need to get away from this negativity that pervades politics in this country. Generally opposition in Ireland is opposition, I think that’s pathetic.”

The Longford-Westmeath TD said issues that Labour should support included supports for rural communities, including a freeze on rates in areas, and support for housing.

Another senior Labour source said: “We should work with somebody if a [Labour] policy is achievable, if not we’ll oppose them.

Issues like the living wage, repealing the Eighth [Amendment], eradicating child poverty. There’s a list of things we could support on a case-by-case basis. If somebody makes a good fist of something, we should support it.”

However, some Labour members disagree. Former minister and Dublin Central TD Joe Costello said the party needs to plan going into opposition: “The main thing is we put forward our own issues rather than respond to others.” Mr Costello also said the Greens and Fianna Fàil had resurrected their parties after a difficult election in 2011.

Meanwhile, former Labour TDs, ministers and failed election candidates will gather in Dublin today to debate the bruising election result for the party which saw only seven deputies elected.

Possible reforms to help grassroot members, attract younger Labour supporters and boost fundraising for the party will also be discussed.

Labour is required under its own party constitution to have a vote on the leadership before the end of August.

A spokesman for Labour leader Joan Burton said a decision on what would happen next or when that vote would take place would not happen until the formation of the next government had been decided.

Tony Heffernan, a former Labour advisor, yesterday said a “safe pair of hands” would be needed to oversee Labour’s future. “You can’t take for granted the survival of the Labour Party.”

Asked by RTÉ about the chances of deputy leader Alan Kelly becoming leader, Mr Heffernan said there had been concerns about how Mr Kelly had conducted himself in the election campaign.