Predictions of Labour decimation greatly exaggerated

Matt Cooper’s assertion in that the Labour party will be ‘decimated’ at the next election is grossly premature and exaggerated (‘Gilmore and Labour paying a high price for being in government, Sep 28).

I find Mr Cooper’s tea-leaf gazing rather amusing and that his argument lacks foundation and fact.

The Labour party has managed to maintain a satisfaction rating of between 14% and 17% since the general election, despite the considerable challenges it has faced as a junior coalition partner during its 18 months in office.

If a result of 14% were to be replicated in a general election tomorrow, it would be among our best ever general election achievements.

I acknowledge that the recent controversy regarding former Minister Roisin Shortall has been unhelpful to the party and the outcome is unfortunate.

It was a bad week, but we must learn from it, move on and re-focus our efforts on restoring stability, growth and competitiveness to the Irish economy.

A new Junior Minister, Deputy Alex White, is already in place and he is determined to deliver on commitments in the Programme for Government on primary care, particularly in the area of free GP care for every citizen of our Republic, which was so shamelessly destructed by a right-wing Government and their casino capitalist cronies.

Labour in Government will make the necessary and difficult decisions to rebuild this country economically and socially whilst protecting the most vulnerable.

Any objector to that statement is welcome to join Mr Cooper in his anti-Labour rant.

Mr Cooper should refrain from forecasting any party’s re-election prospects until a more comprehensive period of time has passed in Government and there is room for mature reflection.

A journalist of his standing should know better.

Michael McCarthy TD

Dunmanway

Co Cork