Sir, – Colm Keaveney's defection from being a Labour Party TD and chairperson to left-wing Independent to Fianna Fáil member (Breaking News, December 3rd) must be viewed in the context of his original departure from the Labour Parliamentary Party after Budget 2013. It was his vote against the social welfare budget last December and loss of the Labour Party whip that was hitherto the defining moment for Keaveney in the minds of the Irish people. He was heralded by media commentators, sections of the public, a portion of Labour Party voters and a cohort of Labour Party members as the flag-bearer of true Labour values and principles. He was seen as a brave and honourable voice standing up to a heavy-handed party leadership who had turned their backs on the ordinary people of Ireland.
His move to Fianna Fáil, a party with a medieval tradition on social policy and neo-liberal capitalist perspective on economic policy, proves Keaveney was a false prophet.
I voted for Keaveney to be chairperson of the Labour Party in 2012, not because I wanted him to damage my party or undermine the leadership. I wanted a strong voice for ordinary grassroots members within the party’s organisational structure. This was Keaveney’s one campaign promise to us. For a man who has since made his name on the back of criticising Labour for perceived broken promises, he did not waste time in breaking his one promise to us ordinary members. He turned his back on us when we were at our lowest ebb, when branch meetings and party gatherings were at their most downcast and fractious. He betrayed us.
I have just returned from a positive party conference where the grassroots elected a new chairperson (Loraine Mulligan), we passed progressive motions on economic and social policy and we discussed further how to promote our values and principles in Government. Our principles of equality, fairness and social justice are not for Colm Keaveney to hold claim over, they never were; and now that he has joined the architects of economic destruction and social conservatism, Fianna Fáil, he will have no claim to those values and principles ever again. – Yours, etc,
DUNCAN SMITH,
Labour Party Member,
Castleview Close,
Swords, Co Dublin.
A chara, – Former Labour Party chairman Colm Keaveney tells us: “My views and those of Fianna Fáil have become very similar, not only on the economy but in the areas of social protection and health” (Breaking News, December 3rd). Perhaps, perhaps, oh perhaps it might just be easier to adopt populist opinions when you are in opposition and this is why Fianna Fáil is congenial to Mr Keaveney now. – Is mise,
ALEX STAVELEY,
Beverton Wood,
Donabate, Co Dublin.
Sir, – Colm Keaveney's Pauline conversion to Fianna Fáil is no surprise. They are eminently suited. After all they each have their principles. And if you don't like those principles then they have others. Quod erat demonstrandum. – Yours, etc,
PJ Mc DERMOTT,
Sheeaune,
Westport, Co Mayo.