Pat Rabbitte's resignation as leader of the Labour Party is a measure of the man. It was a difficult, even if necessary, decision following a disappointing result in the general election campaign. The party came close to winning a sufficient number of seats to form a coalition government with Fine Gael. But it fell short. And, having ruled out any post-election arrangement with Fianna Fáil, the party was committed to occupying the opposition benches
Internal criticism of Mr Rabbitte and his electoral strategy was certain to increase, rather than diminish, as a detailed analysis of the party's performance and its political options got under way during the autumn. And, as happens when 20/20 hindsight is brought to bear, the difficult and complex realities of the past would have become opaque. So, at this point, it is important to recall he was elected leader by the membership because of an undertaking to remove Fianna Fáil from office.
As his political career evolved from the Workers Party to Democratic Left and the Labour Party, Mr Rabbitte stood out as one of a rare breed today: he was a principled politician. Right or wrong, he lived a political life of conviction. He firmly believed that a real alternative to a Fianna Fáil-led coalition should be offered to the voters in the 2007 General Election, stood by his principles when he could have done a volte face and, in the end, accepted the decision of the people with his resignation yesterday.
Those who know Mr Rabbitte say that he was devastated by the election result. Yet, he had no regrets about the platform on which he placed the Labour Party with, it should be remembered, their overwhelming support. A by-product of the strategy was the rejuvenation of Fine Gael. It was, indeed, necessary for that party to recover significantly from its 2002 drubbing, if it was to form the core of a viable Fine Gael/Labour coalition. But Labour strategists had also counted on making significant seat gains. And, when that did not happen, the entire strategy fell apart. Labour returned 20 TDs, a loss of one, while Fine Gael gained 20 seats. Defenders of the strategy argued that the outcome, in party seat numbers, was almost exactly similar to 2002 when Labour had conducted an independent campaign, leaving its government options open. But the balance of power within the Dáil was transformed on this occasion and Fine Gael was the beneficiary.
Pat Rabbitte's decision to vacate the leadership is the right one for him personally. He has been a courageous, indeed fearless, advocate of standards in public life and a fairer society for all at times when few voices could be heard to challenge corruption or the role of the Celtic Tiger. And he never put personal or party opportunity before the interests of the country as he saw them. He intends to remain on in politics - at least until the next election. That is a welcome decision. The Oireachtas cannot easily afford to lose a politician of his calibre, commitment and experience.