Sir, – I suggest that we tabulate our politicians’ excuses for their sub-electoral performance. 1) People are hurting. 2) We have heard what people are saying. 3) I have every confidence in the leader. 4) I have always opposed the party’s policy of imposing a second candidate. 5) The junior party in a coalition always suffers in a mid-term election.
Any advance on five? – Yours, etc,
CORMAC MEEHAN
Bundoran,
Co Donegal.
Sir, – There appears to be a definite increase in short-term memory loss. I only hope a cure can be found before the next general election. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL STOREY,
Glencar,
Sligo.
Sir, – People complain that our politicians lie prior to elections. As someone who has canvassed vigorously during the past four weeks, I can say that the electorate is also economical with the truth at election time.
I know of one household where at least three different candidates were promised all the number ones in the family. So, enough of the moral high ground. Our politicians genuinely represent us! – Yours, etc,
MARGARET LEE,
Newport, Co Tipperary.
Sir, – The response to recent electoral reversals by Labour Party grandees has been enlightening. Their singular concentration on the impact of austerity policies on the electorate in areas such as health, taxation, etc, as the reason for the party’s poor performance, reveals an understandable focus on the economic issues facing the nation. However, it also reveals a strange myopia on the part of the party as it seems unwilling to acknowledging the far more insidious and damaging role it has played in the inscription of neo-liberal policies into the fabric of Irish life.
In effect, the party appears to be suffering from the political equivalent of Stockholm syndrome where hostages develop positive feelings towards their captors. Immediate remedial action is needed to undo the current rush towards managerialism as the panacea for the provision of public services (most notably in the areas of health and education).
It has been a depressing experience watching Labour Ministers act as cheerleaders for these developments. The Government must immediately start treating people as people once again, not simply economic units who fit these managerial “co-efficients” and “metrics”. – Yours, etc,
RICHARD FITZSIMONS,
Church Gate,
Wicklow Town.