Labour leader plays down poll showing

The Labour Party is performing well despite losing valuable ground to political rivals in the latest opinion poll, it was claimed today.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte dismissed reports his party was on the wane after a poll showed Sinn Féin and the Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrat coalition Government had increased their satisfaction rating.

The survey showed Labour fell back two points since the last poll in June, the fifth consecutive drop to hit the party.

“I would prefer it to be going in the opposite direction,” Mr Rabbitte said.

“It isn’t at the moment but it is an improvement on the 2002 General Election and local elections.

“I think it probably is a fairly solid performance by the party.”

The Irish Times TNS/MRBI opinion poll revealed a personal satisfaction rating for Taoiseach Bertie Ahern of 53% – his best rating since the general election.

But Mr Rabbitte claimed political commentators had given the poll a “very upbeat presentation” which favoured the Government. His own personal satisfaction rating was up by 5%.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, head of a possible future rainbow coalition government, also hit new heights in the survey with a satisfaction rating of 46%.

Mr Kenny’s standing has been boosted by a massive 13% since the last poll - the highest rating for a Fine Gael leader since 1999.

The nationwide poll, of 1,000 people taken last week, found Fianna Fáil on 35% (up two points since June), Fine Gael 24% (no change), Labour 13% (down two), Sinn Féin 12% (up one), Greens 4% (no change) and the PDs on 3% (down one).

Mr Rabbitte told RTE Radio people should not read too much into the poll this far from an election.

“This distance out and this remote from a general election I’m not sure how much significance attach to it,” Mr Rabbitte said.

He claimed the Government’s good showing in the poll was more down to extensive media coverage in the run up to the Cabinet reshuffle rather than the work of ministers.

The Labour leader also played down rumours of a rift between himself and his long-standing political ally Michael D Higgins.

Mr Higgins had been touted as a presidential candidate, and while he was denied the opportunity to stand against incumbent President Mary McAleese, Mr Rabbitte said their relationship remained as good as ever.