FUTURE OF THE LABOUR PARTY

PAUL GAVAN,

PAUL GAVAN,

Sir, - Correspondents and commentators who call for the Labour Party to move to the left misunderstand the nature of that party. Labour has been a force for conservative politics in this country since independence, serving as the natural home for right-wing trade unionists and anti-Republican revisionists. It is no more capable of moving to the left than is Fine Gael.

Indeed, Labour's natural home is in the centre-right bosom of its erstwhile coalition partner. This would at least leave the way clear - finally - for the development of a genuine Republican left alternative to the current consensus. - Yours, etc.,

PAUL GAVAN,

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Elton Court,

Meelick,

Co Clare.