FF’s economic competence myth exploded

IT appears to be clear to everybody, with perhaps the exception of Keith Henry (Letters, June 22), that Fianna Fáil’s self-proclaimed electoral trump card was competence in running the economy and a low-tax regime.

Few would disagree that the veil on this particular myth has been well and truly lifted.

I would remind Mr Henry that the electorate gave then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern an opportunity to form another government, although it was not an explicit mandate since the outgoing coalition lost eight seats and the Fine Gael-led alternative gained 20 in the May 2007 general election.

The local and European elections this year provided the first opportunity for the people to express their opinion on Brian Cowen’s government. This election produced the unprecedented result of FF being supplanted by Fine Gael as the largest party by a margin of more than 7%. Hence, the people unambiguously rejected the approach being taken by the Government.

Things have only gone from bad to worse since Mr Cowen became Taoiseach.

The economy implodes while the Government implements a measure that has never worked in the past anywhere in the world – attempting to tax our way out of a recession.

Mark Wakefield

Mercier Park

Turners Cross

Cork