Labour Party should raise the bar

IF we are truly to see a change in the political and economic system in Ireland, then all whose aims are for a progressive and equal society need to come together and present a vision as a distinct alternative to the status quo.

It is clear than Fine Gael has a broadly similar policy platform to Fianna Fáil.

They too are champions of the free market. The current crisis is born of political action. The banks were not on a solo run.

Light-touch regulation as part of the overall trend to deregulation and privatisation facilitated this collapse.

The Labour party have a responsibility to work with others on a longer term project to truly transform Irish society. Propping up Fine Gael in a more-of-the-same government will not deliver those changes. Playing second fiddle in this scenario is worse than useless. Things will not change.

Labour were right to rule out coalition with Fianna Fáil. They should set very high standards for Fine Gael to earn a right at the government table too.

Vincent Wood

Beach Avenue

Salthill

Galway