labouring the point

Since the figure in Irish politics for whom I would have most respect is Pat Rabbitte, I wasn’t too impressed when he felt compelled to step aside after the last election, particularly when I saw who was taking over from him.

I didn’t know much about Eamonn Gilmore it’s true, but judging by his demeanour, it looked as though the quirky soundbites with which his predecessor lit up the normally dank chambers of Leinster House were no more.

Fortunately, I was mistaken, and over the past eighteen months Gilmore and his sidekick Joan Burton (who coined the phrase “Two Brians”), have carried the mantle of demonstrating that it is actually possible to make an important point AND be funny at the same time.

I’m even confident that Deputy Gilmore would appreciate the comical side of my little lookalike picture above.

The reason, of course, that the Irish Labour Party needs to resort to the funny is that it’s pretty much the only way of getting a Left-wing opinion into the news cycle on these shores.

We are currently ruled by a parliament which is overwhelmingly occupied by right-wing parties, not to mention a government which although it includes the Greens, has them as its bitch for the next few years if they want to implement their issue-specific policies.

So it was with a keen ear that I listened to Gilmore’s keynote address to the Labour Party last weekend. Luckily, I live in a part of the country which has a broadband connection strong enough to catch a streaming version of the speech.

I have to say, I was impressed with the rhetoric, particularly with the way he distanced himself not only from Fianna Fail, but also from Fine Gael.

It is now clear to me that the best strategy for all Left-wing candidates to adopt from here on in is to promote the notion that there is very little difference between the two Civil War parties. I would even lump them all under the collective name Fianna Gael.

By all means either watch or read the speech yourself, though I will include my favourite section here…

If Irish people know what their sacrifices are for;

if they can be confident that there is a better place at the end of the recession; then no politician need call on them to be patriotic. 

What the country needs now is leadership 

And I believe that Labour can provide that lead.

People sometimes say to me - 'Aren't you lucky you're not in Government now'

But now is the time when Labour should be in Government…

…Because Labour is the Party for jobs and schools and hospitals. And for science, technology and innovation…

…Because Labour is the Party of the Common Good.

We are neither Fianna Fáil, nor Fine Gael. We are Labour.

I wish we could have a General Election now. 

But Fianna Fail, and their Green poodles are not about to grant our wish.

Naturally, there had to be a lot of nodding towards the unions as well, and if there was one thing preventing me from pinning a Labour rosette to my chest today it would be that, since I would argue that unions have played their fair share of a role in turning the Celtic Tiger into the Celtic Carcass. 

But if Gilmore can continue a course which convinces me that this rhetoric can realistically be turned into votes and seats, then maybe (just maybe mind you) this is an Irish Labour Party I can finally get on board with.

© JL Pagano 2008