Rabbitte might be caught in a FG trap

THE first cardinal rule for any party in politics is to choose a fundamental set of beliefs and principles. The second cardinal rule of politics is to break the first cardinal rule if, and when, necessary.

During the 1992 election, Dick Spring was asked for his thoughts on the prospects of his party going over to the dark side with Fianna Fáil.

“It must surely be considered amazing that any party would consider coalescing with them,” he snorted with his well-practiced air of curt superiority. “It is impossible to see how anyone could support them in the future without seeing them first undergo the most radical transformation.”