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[ARTICLE]SF calls for left-wing alliance to oppose FF-PD-FG axis

  • 25-09-2003 5:47pm
    #1
    star gazer
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 1,735 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    http://www.examiner.ie/breaking/2003/09/25/story114842.html
    Sinn Féin has called for a new alliance of left-wing parties in the Dáil to form an opposition to the policies of Fianna Fáil, the Progressive Democrats and Fine Gael.

    Party spokesman Caoimhghin O’Caolain said he wanted Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Green Party, the Socialist Party and other left-wing independents to join forces and co-ordinate their policies.

    He also criticised Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte for persisting with the idea of a coalition with Fine Gael.

    "If we look again at Enda Kenny’s recent pronouncement in relation to benchmarking, how can the Labour Party be aligning itself with those views?" Mr O’Caolain asked. "We need to be giving an opposition not only to Fianna Fáil and the PDs, but the Fianna Fáil-PD-Fine Gael axis in Leinster House."



    The new opposition?


Comments

  • #2
    mike65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 88,972 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    Rofl

    How many seats will that amount to?

    30?

    40 on a good day with a following wind?

    Anyway as we all know there are none more fractious than left wing parties, they'd NEVER keep it all together.

    Mike.


  • #3
    star gazer
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 1,735 Mod ✭✭✭✭star gazer


    There are lots of different aspects to this and it's hard to see labour going for it. Sinn Féin would scare a lot of their voters. The Greens are probably already uncomfortable sitting beside SF and may have to start distancing themselves from the technical group. The carrot for labour would of course be having pat rabbitte standing accross from Bertie Ahern, but the bitter pill would probably choke his party.
    There would appear to be some overlap of policies between the PDs, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael but while historically Fianna Fáil have been left-wing and more short term looking in their policies, Fine Gael have leaned right wing with a longer term outlook. The PDs called themselves liberals but are clearly espousing more conservative policies in terms of freedom of information and justice. It would seem the opportunity for FG is to out-maneuver Fianna Fail a slip left of centre. It's hard to see them squeeze labour out of that spot though.
    To be honest Fine Gael haven't punched their weight for some time. Enda Kenny has ahd his year and still we wait for signs of a credible alternative. Is there any chance of the credible alternative? The next three months are key. Once the EU presidency starts, it will be harder to be penetrative with political punches. If FG and Labour don't do well at the local elections It could be very hard to score points once the economy eventually picks up. The clock is ticking...


  • #4
    PH01
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,120 ✭✭✭PH01


    LOL I think is the best reaction to this?

    Labour getting into bed with those anarchist parties like SF, Greens and the SP? Oh, how very "1917"? But then again it might be one thing Pat Student Debating Champion Rabbitte might do to get some headlines?


  • #5
    bloggs
    Closed Accounts Posts: 465 ✭✭bloggs


    Aren't FF centre-left?:confused:


  • #6
    bloggs
    Closed Accounts Posts: 465 ✭✭bloggs


    Originally posted by star gazer
    http://www.examiner.ie/breaking/2003/09/25/story114842.html
    Sinn Féin has called for a new alliance of left-wing parties in the Dáil to form an opposition to the policies of Fianna Fáil, the Progressive Democrats and Fine Gael.

    Party spokesman Caoimhghin O’Caolain said he wanted Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Green Party, the Socialist Party and other left-wing independents to join forces and co-ordinate their policies.

    He also criticised Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte for persisting with the idea of a coalition with Fine Gael.

    "If we look again at Enda Kenny’s recent pronouncement in relation to benchmarking, how can the Labour Party be aligning itself with those views?" Mr O’Caolain asked. "We need to be giving an opposition not only to Fianna Fáil and the PDs, but the Fianna Fáil-PD-Fine Gael axis in Leinster House."



    The new opposition?

    Perhaps a new opposition, but certainly not a new government. They wouldn't work very well together in government.


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  • #7
    Chaos-Engine
    Closed Accounts Posts: 772 ✭✭✭Chaos-Engine


    Labour might do well to here that... If they go by the latest figures in the Irish Times poll a Labour/Green/SF government is possible. The only way to stop it is if FF/FG/PD/(All the Inds) get into bed together and that is more unlikely than a GREEN/RED/BLACK coalition


  • #8
    star gazer
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 1,735 Mod ✭✭✭✭star gazer


    Aren't FF centre-left?
    bloggs

    I used to think so but i think a certain tail is wagging the Fianna Fáil dog.
    Labour might do well to here that... If they go by the latest figures in the Irish Times poll a Labour/Green/SF government is possible. The only way to stop it is if FF/FG/PD/(All the Inds) get into bed together and that is more unlikely than a GREEN/RED/BLACK coalition
    chaos-engine

    not really.
    lab+green+SF=19+4+10= 33% FG+lab+green=45%
    big difference. remember labour got 15 % in the previous independent news paper survey.
    If labour want to keep their 'middle class' vote and capture a 'middle class floating vote' they can't be seen to do deals with SF.
    The Greens are clearly being hurt by being in the technical group with SF because they haven't moved from four percent. They will be frustrated with that with all their publicity they are stuck on 4. Time for them to leave the technical grouping i think.


  • #9
    The Beer Baron
    Closed Accounts Posts: 693 ✭✭✭The Beer Baron


    What kinda 1/2-assed rainbow coalition would that be? I don't see it happening, I really don't. It's fine for Fianna Fáil to acknowledge SF's existence, it's another for someone like Labour to do so. Quite another thing.
    Anyway as we all know there are none more fractious than left wing parties, they'd NEVER keep it all together.

    "If you wanna join the PFH you godda reeeeally hate Fianna Fáil!"
    "I do!"
    "Yeah? How much?"
    "A lot!"
    "Awrite your in- but just remember- the only people we hate more than Fianna Fáil are the ****ing Hibernian People's Front!"
    "Yaah! And the Democratic Front of Hibernia!"
    "And the Democratic Front of Hibernia!"
    "Yeah and the People's Front of Hibernia!"
    "We're the people's Front of Hibernia!"
    "Are we? I thought we were the Popular Front?"
    "Nah- he's over there- SPLITTA!"

    Anyway as we all know there are none more fractious than left wing parties, they'd NEVER keep it all together.

    Yeah- the last time such a ragtaggle band of lefties went into a coalition they spent so time bickering with each other that in the end Frano won.


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