PD promises - Challenge to convince voters

HAVING lined the pockets of the rich with generous tax concessions in two successive governments, the Progressive Democrats are finally going after the hearts and minds of what they call the “coping” classes in next year’s general election.

Tax cuts have long been central to their electoral strategy, but now for the first time they are targeting middle-class voters with a sweetheart package plucked like a rabbit from a magician’s hat yesterday just before the end of the party’s annual conference in Limerick.

Married couples are the target of this silver bullet policy and would not come into the top tax level until their combined income exceeded the €100,000 mark.

Furthermore, a couple would have to earn €40,000 before entering the tax net at all. And, in a catch-all bid to keep high-earning voters on side, the top tax band would be cut from 42% to 40%.

Effectively, this three-pronged formula is central to PD philosophy of low taxation as the best way to combat poverty and create jobs.

Wielding political clout out of all proportion to their size, the party, which has eight TDs and five senators, has played a major part in transforming Ireland into one of the lowest direct-tax regimes in the world.

The end result is somewhat illusory, however, as people are paying through the nose in stealth taxes and indirect charges.

Having set out their stall, the big challenge facing the PDs will be to reverse a trend whereby the party’s fortunes have waned after each successful election.

Attuned to life on the edge, rank and file delegates at the Limerick conference remained convinced their party will be a key player in the next government.

Politically, the venue was highly symbolic, since Limerick is the home of PD founder Des O’Malley who, 20 years ago, broke with Fianna Fáil over the discredited brand of politics espoused by disgraced ex-Taoiseach Charlie Haughey. In a pointed show of defiance, delegates voted overwhelmingly against a motion calling on the PDs to enter a pre-election pact with Fianna Fáil.

It remains to be seen whether this go-it-alone policy will alienate Fianna Fáil elements resentful of what they see as undue Progressive Democrat influence in government. Yet, the prospect of the two parties getting into bed together once again cannot be discounted.

With the health crisis set to be the key election issue, the personal challenge facing Health Minister, Tánaiste and PD leader Mary Harney is enormous. Arguably, the party’s future will turn on the success or failure of her tenure at the Department of Health.

With crime also high on the agenda, Justice Minister Michael McDowell is now playing a populist bail card, calling for tougher policies in the courts. Ironically, he denies criticising the judiciary.

Playing the republican card, the PD president also predicts Sinn Féin could win up to 16 seats if they got 10% of the vote.

In a bid to deter would-be SF voters, he raised the spectre of Sinn Féin holding the balance of power as king makers in Leinster House.

Ultimately, the daunting challenge facing the Progressive Democrats will be to convince voters they are a reforming party and still have a raison d’etre.