Madam, - As a member of the Labour Party, I was not surprised by the poor performance of my party at the polls. I and others in the party have continually opposed the Mullingar accord from the moment of its conception. We now feel that Election 2007 has vindicated that opposition. The Rabbitte strategy of hitching on to the Fine Gael bandwagon was disastrous for the party.
However, the Quinn strategy of an each-way bet in 2002 also failed.
From my viewpoint, then, there is only one option left for the Labour Party facing into future elections. That option is the categorical ruling out of a coalition with either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael unless the Labour Party is the largest party in that coalition.
Some may think this is aspirational, but I will remind Labour members who think such a strategy could never work that Dick Spring almost achieved the task of overtaking Fine Gael in the past. However, that good work was spoiled because the price of power was too great for him.
This new election strategy would end the speculation as to who will Labour enter government with. Instead, it would offer a clear choice between left and right at the next election. The next time the people speak we should give them a real option, a real alternative based on that principle of "from each according to his needs, to each according to his ability". The adoption of this election strategy is the only way to progress the values of Labour and is no doubt necessary for the survival of the party.
To quote the founder of our party, James Connolly, "Labour does best when Labour stands alone" I have no doubt that Pat Rabbitte, or indeed his successor, should take Connolly's words into account come 2012. - Yours, etc,
ENDA DUFFY, Labour Youth. Woodley Park, Kilmacud, Dublin 14.
Madam, - Michael Lowry polled nearly three times as many votes as Michael McDowell.
Beverley Flynn almost twice his tally.
Can I ask did we just cut our nose off? -
JOHN MUGAN, Máigh Cuilinn, Co Galway.