Election tactics - Policies, not posters, will decide result

FINE GAEL are planning to launch a poster campaign with billboards deliberately attacking Michael McDowell and other high-profiled members of the Government, like Mary Harney and Martin Cullen.

Many have criticised Fine Gael for its lacklustre performance in opposition, but the party would be making a serious mistake if it becomes too personal in its attacks.

A strong, viable opposition is a vital part of a healthy democracy, but that opposition should build its campaign around its own policies rather than mere destructive attacks on Government.

People are clearly disillusioned by the administrative waste in the health service and scenes of violent crime, with shootings or stabbing becoming a daily occurrence.

In the circumstances, the electorate is likely to be responsive to positive proposals. The opposition should offer an alternative in terms of its own positive policies, instead of just being critical about what is happening.

It would be a dreadful mistake to emulate the negative, highly personalised kind of campaigns witnessed in the United States.

The Tánaiste may be a soft target because of the political hostages that he has left to fortune, as he had been so critical of journalists, gardaí, prison officers, and judges.

The latest to join the disgruntled band of his critics are coroners, who are threatening to fight his plans to overhaul the court service. But it should be recognised that Mr McDowell has not lacked the courage of his convictions.

Like him, or loathe him, he has outlined his programmes. Fine Gael should respond in a positive manner with the kind of alternatives that it is offering. If the party is to provide a viable alternative, it should do so in the form of concrete policies that people can readily identify.

If it can do so with enthusiastic conviction and especially with some humour, it will be all the better.