First true test of the coalition

DailyBlaa

Delegates backed a motion totally rejecting any future sales after party organisers failed in an attempt to have the measure referred back.
In a card vote the motion was carried by 158 to 152.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0414/economy-and-education-on-labour-agenda.html

Is this the first true test of this coalition. Will Labour ministers agree with the parties vote when it really comes to it in the Dail?

This has been on the cards for a while now. A coalition between two parties which have such a diverse agenda. It was only a matter of time before issues started to arise. Labour should have heed the warnings from previous minority coalition partners. They will suffer a major loss by going against election promises and perceived centre left stance. Can see them doing a green party/ PD collapse next time round. Should have learned their lesson from their previous failed alliances.

benway

All is not well in the Labour grassroots, understandably. There's a total disconnect between the direction of the parliamentary party and the views of the members. This cannot go on indefinitely, there's undoubtedly going to be some kind of wholesale rebellion, at government or party level, in the not too distant future.

Dirk Gently

Labour members having a backbone? who would have thought it.

I have a feeling any "future" sales will be described as having been "sale agreed" before the motion yesterday. You'd wonder how much of it is wanting to hold onto a state asset though as opposed to holding onto well paid labour supporters working there.

nuac

1, Dont think this motion binds the Labour ministers.

2. Labour TDs wiil soldier on regardless of how difficult things get - some labour ministers have pensions to aim for

Sierra Oscar

nuac wrote: »

1, Dont think this motion binds the Labour ministers.

I think you are correct on that - Ministers usually officially have the final say on all legislation over the membership. All the same if they do go ahead with this the Labour grassroots will become pretty disillusioned rapidly.

They still will go ahead though, Labour HQ will just smooth over the motion.

WalterMitty

Gilmore will tell them he respects their decision, then run off to IMF and tell them we'll approve it anyway dont worry.
Its in memorandum that we signed up to and whatever chance we have of minimising it when we get a 2nd bail out it will be certain to be forced in to greater extent.
When a government owns industries the workers in those industries use their unionised power to extract above market rates of pay. This phenomenon is seen all over world and just hits consumers and taxpayers while allowing a small minority be overcompensasted. If anything a party of fairness and equality should be against state ownership with exception of maybe the basic electricity and telecoms networks and other natural monopolies and even then have no strike clauses in contracts but we all know who fund and fundraise for the labour party.

benway

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

All the same if they do go ahead with this the Labour grassroots will become pretty disillusioned rapidly.

I think that we're already way past that point, following the last budget. I would expect that people are right in saying that the parliamentary party will plough ahead regardless, and I equally expect that it will prove to be the final straw for many members.

Shea O'Meara

Dirk Gently wrote: »

Labour members having a backbone? who would have thought it.

I have a feeling any "future" sales will be described as having been "sale agreed" before the motion yesterday. You'd wonder how much of it is wanting to hold onto a state asset though as opposed to holding onto well paid labour supporters working there.

Not sure where you get or what your point is on the backbone remark. Selling off state fully or partially owned concerns cannot be done with a broad brush. Personally I feel selling the like of Bord Telecom/Eircom was stupid and short sighted leaving us beholding to private interests.
And as for the privatisation of the bins, same.

The current workers of any state body changing to private will be well compensated, it's the quality of service and right to act upon any wrong doing or charges that we'll miss.
I recall Gilmore and Co. kicking up about local authorities selling off council dwellings/land etc. to private concerns, 'We're selling the family silver!' and so on.
Those Labour members with a backbone are concerned for quality of life for all, not a quick buck like some of the ministers from most parties including Labour. We shouldn't allow the FFails, FG's and elements of Labour in this world leave us with a negative 'they're all the same' attitude. That's how the corrupt and incompetent win and the likes of Bertie get two terms.