THE Labour Party conference opened in Limerick last night with a strong attack by the party chairman and local TD, Mr Jim Kemmy, on the Progressive Democrats.
Wishing the British Labour Party well in the election, he said, that Thatcherism was not confined to Britain.
"We have plenty of little Maggies here in our own country and most of them are to be found in the PDs.
"We have seen the damage that this terrible political virus has wrought in Britain. We have seen the manner in which the last Fianna Fail PD Government here pulled itself apart through bickering and dissension.
"Let us make sure that our people and our political life are not further contaminated by selfish, callous PD policies."
Mr Kemmy said that in the forthcoming election Labour was contesting every constituency in the State and putting forward the highest ever percentage of women candidates in the party's history.
Labour would have one simple campaign slogan: "Keep it going". He asked why voters should change a winning team. "Why change to a squabbling mismatch of Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats from a Government that has performed well since it came together more than two years ago?
"Labour has worked harmoniously in government with our partners, Fine Gael and Democratic Left. There is no reason why this co operation should not continue throughout the general election campaign.
"There is no reason why Labour supporters should not use their preference votes to ensure support for candidates from Government. parties in order to help to have the present Government re elected."
Mr Kemmy urged delegates not to be overawed by public opinion polls, because they had performed, well in government.
Urging delegates not to be fainthearted, he said: "To achieve victory for our candidates under the red rose, let us make every effort to make this the most successful Labour campaign in our 85 year history. We must never go back to the bad old days of a weak, powerless, voiceless Labour Party."
He said that the battle lines, were becoming clearly drawn between the present Government and the combination of Fianna Fail and the PDs. "We know what side we are on. Let us make sure that we are on that winning side on polling day."
