Let’s build a left alternative and give real choice
Enda Kenny has called for the freezing of agreed public service pay awards. Mr Kenny, in common with all TDs and senators, received a large pay rise under the Buckley recommendations without meeting any productivity requirements.
Incredibly, members of the Oireachtas are still not even required to attend at Leinster House in order to receive salary payments.
On the other hand, recent opinion polls have again confirmed that a solid basis exists for a popular political alliance as an alternative government. I have been working for the information of such an alliance since the beginning of the current Dáil.
The combination of Labour, Sinn Féin, the Greens and the non-Fianna Fáil independents is now consistently exceeding the Fianna Fáil vote in opinion polls.
Surely, it makes good sense for such parties to put an agreed programme for government before the people as soon as practicable.
In the meantime, such an alliance could form a strong opposition inside and outside the Dáil. I have already proposed that a joint national demonstration against inadequate health provision take place this autumn.
History shows that neither a Labour-Fianna Fáil government nor a Labour-Fine Gael government represents a way forward for the poor, the sick and employees generally. The shift to the right by Fine Gael underlines this fact.
It cannot serve the interests of working people that the Labour party should resurrect a dying Fine Gael by bringing it back into government.
Recent opinion polls are mapping an historic shift in Irish politics linked to urbanisation.
The combined vote for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael has suffered a major decline in recent years.
The much enlarged left is now spread over a number of parties and groupings with no single dominant component. This is evident from the last general election and all recent opinion polls. The interest of the poor and of all those who work for a living requires that an effective alliance be formed at the political level.
Can the leaders of the left rise to the challenge?
Seamus Healy, TD,
56, Queen Street,
Clonmel,
Co Tipperary.
