Labour Party reaping its own reward

When, during an economic downturn you get into bed with one of the terrible twins of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil (nothing distinguishes them bar historical beginnings) you are inevitably in for a hiding come the next elections.

Curiously, many find it acceptable for centre/centre right parties to promise us the moon and the stars while failing to deliver on their promises. Perhaps we expect nothing more of them. But parties with left-wing credentials are supposed to have integrity.

I take no joy in the demise of the Labour Party, nor do I feel pity, for when it came to making savings they were complicit in singling out the most vulnerable in society, in particular, children with special needs and children with disabilities. Eamon Gilmore’s peremptory pre-election speeches were full of such self-grandiose words that they now seem risible. Labour has little to look forward to in the next general election. They may consider their best option is a principled stand that would bring about an early election. If they do so they should recall what happened to the Greens.