Gilmore handing initiative to Fine Gael

HAVING just listened to Seán O’Rourke’s radio interview with the Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore, in which Mr Gilmore categorically ruled out any form of coalition with Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Green Party in the formation of the next government, I was surprised at the political naivety of Mr Gilmore.

By ruling out a coalition with all other political parties, he is likely to enhance FG’s credibility as the only alternative government. Indeed, by exposing his political hand in such a categorical and public manner, Mr Gilmore has seriously undermined Labour’s negotiating position with Fine Gael.

In an astonishing act of political hari-kari, the Labour Party have handed the initiative to Fine Gael by painting themselves into a corner with nowhere to go except into the clutches of FG.