Sir, – Fair play to Eamon Gilmore for resigning with such dignity. Ironically, never have basic Labour policies like building social housing or establishing a needs-based national health service been more relevant. – Yours, etc,
GARETH SMYTH,
Emlagh,
Louisburgh, Co Mayo.
Sir, – As a former member of Labour, the reason I could not bring myself to vote for the party in any form in this election was not, as various spokespeople have claimed, because of what they had to do in government. Any party in government would have had to do the same.
The reason I couldn’t vote for it is because it went into government in the first place.
Instead of using the time in opposition to develop policies for a broad-left, post-bailout government, it took office to implement policies over which it had no control.
The great enemies of Sinn Féin – Gilmore and Rabbitte – have largely ceded the left to that party and, by making a Fianna Fáil-Sinn Féin coalition a real possibility after the next election, ensured the continuation of essentially conservative Irish politics. – Yours, etc,
EOIN DILLON,
Ceannt Fort,
Mount Brown,
Dublin 8.
Sir, – Paddy Power is offering odds of 5/6 of an FG/FF government after the next general election. The bland leading the bland? – Yours, etc,
LYNNE TRACEY,
Villiers Road,
Rathgar,Dublin 6.
Sir, – I am delighted with this weekend’s election results. I will now be able to do the household budget for next year, based on the election promises of Sinn Féin and the Independents. I will now not have to budget for the local property tax or water charges. Or are these just promises that cannot be kept but are merely said to get elected? – Yours, etc,
ALAN FAIRBROTHER,
Glenvara Park,
Knocklyon,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – Ten years ago I read Lost for Words, by John Humprys, in which he advised the reader to insert the word "not" into politicians' promises. I have applied this advice several times during the last few weeks. The following is an example: "We will not stop water charges." – Yours, etc,
MATTIE LENNON,
Kylebeg,
Blessington,
Co Wicklow.
Sir, – I thought it ironic that the painted marks placed on the footpath outside my house by Irish Water (presumably for installation of the water meter) were washed away by the rain on the day of the local elections. Is Mother Nature trying to tell us something? – Yours, etc,
JEFF MAGUIRE,
Windsor Road,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – When asked on radio about Labour’s broken promises, Mr Rabbitte made an all-too-familiar excuse – sure the party can’t really be judged on its manifesto because that’s what Labour would do if it governed alone. So their former voters really thought Labour would sweep into office on its own?
Shortly after the exchange with Mr Rabbitte, Pearse Doherty frankly declared that Sinn Féin would be perfectly capable of coalition, and he cited the party’s role in the North.
Could I suggest that in future, in the public interest, smaller parties produce two manifestos before elections – one on what they would do if they get a majority, and the other the red-line list that they would stick to in any coalition. This is what voters really need to know if smaller parties who go into coalition are to be held to account. – Yours, etc,
JOE CASEY
Beechfield Road,
Walkinstown,
Dublin 12.
Sir, – While the continued rise of Sinn Féin has engendered a huge amount of post-election comment, less discussed has been the fact that the number of elected ex-Progressive Democrats has rocketed upwards yet again.
It is a clear sign of how toxic the party brand had become that so many of its members have found favour with the electorate when shorn of the party name.
It is certain from the stark contrast between the talent available to the party and its distinct lack of success that Breaking the Mould, and those histories of the party yet to be written, will be read for many years to come, not least to discover what not to do. – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN FITZPATRICK,
Kerrymount Rise,
Foxrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Labour’s message is often too technocratic. The party stresses how good it is in government rather than promoting values.
It points to its unique administrative capacity of taking governmental responsibility in good and bad times – to do what is necessary.
True as this may be, this does not set Labour apart from other parties in the minds of the electorate. Labour must become emboldened or become extinct.
To survive, Labour can carve out a modern, values-based identity for itself. The values of community, family, healthy living, work-life balance, tolerance, pluralistic democracy, human rights, decent workplaces and providing people with the freedom to reach their potential need to be central to the values of a Labour Party that can and must rebuild its support base for the good of the country. – Yours, etc,
DAN O’NEILL,
Beech Hill Drive,
Donnybrook,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – If Luke Flanagan encourages a relative to stand in the pending byelection in Roscommon, will he be accused of attempting to found a “Ming Dynasty”? – Yours, etc,
BEN DUNDON,
Forest Avenue,
Kingswood Heights,
Dublin 24.
Sir, – Sinn Féin has now shown itself to be a force in Irish politics both north and south of the Border.
It has increased its vote by 8 per cent in the Republic’s local elections and, while still the second-biggest party in the north, has increased its vote there while the DUP has not. The trend is clear. Sinn Féin is the only true 32-county political party and, with the demographic trend in its favour in the north, it appears to be only a matter of time before Sinn Féin is the majority party both north and south of the Border.
If that happens will the country be finally reunited? Or will the forces of reaction hold out for a bit longer against the inevitable?
We really are living in interesting times. – Yours, etc,
LIAM COOKE,
Greencastle Avenue,
Coolock,
Dublin 17.
Sir, – Enda and Eamon can take comfort in their misery by remembering what the British did to Churchill after he won the war ! History always repeats itself. – Yours, etc,
DAVID MURNANE,
Dunshaughlin,
Co Meath.
A chara, – Should May 23rd be known henceforth as Independents’ Day? – Is mise,
ALEX STAVELEY,
Beverton Wood,
Donabate,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – The recent elections have clearly shown the need for a new party in Irish politics. This new party should resonate with all the electorate, raise national morale and restore Ireland to its former glory. No, I am not referring to the Reform Alliance, nor to a Workers’ Utopian Party.
I am suggesting we badly need an Irish version of the Monster Raving Loony Party. The recent campaigns were almost devoid of humour. There were few light moments, no memorable jokes from candidates, not even a gentle chuckle. One could even be forgiven for thinking that politics had become more serious than football. At least, thank God for Miriam Lord! – Yours, etc,
DORCHA LEE,
Beaufort Place,
Navan,
Co Meath.
Sir, – My glass is certainly half full. Seven weeks ago I made a decision to run in this year’s local elections in the Galway City West Ward. Within a week I had my posters and leaflets printed. I had assembled a team of canvassers that grew to over 30 people by the end of the campaign.
I ran a short six-week canvass, erecting 100 posters and canvassing 5,000 houses. I went from being a complete unknown in political terms to a situation where 270 people in this ward thought I was the best person to represent them on the city council.
By the time I was eliminated on the fifth count, I had increased this to 401 votes, which was approximately a third of a quota.
I may not have won a seat on Galway City Council but I have achieved so much in other ways. It is in no way a defeat. I wish to congratulate everyone who was elected and commiserate with those unsuccessful this time. I’m confident the new faces on the city council will bring new ideas and a new energy. I wish them the very best of luck. – Yours, etc,
TOMMY RODDY,
Lower Salthill,
Galway.