Fear on the left

The enthusiasm for an alliance of the left among the Labour leaders and DL parliamentary party is not as strong among Labour …

The enthusiasm for an alliance of the left among the Labour leaders and DL parliamentary party is not as strong among Labour backbenchers. Indeed, it could be said there was a distinct unease about the whole scheme this week and the reasons are as old as politics itself - seats and jobs. Labour deputies or would-be deputies in constituencies with strong DL deputies or candidates are looking to their future and that starts with three-seat Dublin North West, where Roisin Shortall and Prionsias De Rossa will have to slog it out.

Then there's Dublin South West, where Pat Rabbitte and Eamonn Walsh fought last time and will again; Dun Laoghaire where Eamonn Gilmore held on last year but then Minister for Education Niamh Bhreathnach lost her seat and ditto Wicklow, with Liz McManus and Liam Kavanagh.

There was talk this week that Prionsias, not wishing to play deputy to Ruairi, may seek to run with Bernie Malone for a Dublin Euro seat next year. He's been there before and he likes it, but those close to him maintain that he wants to stay in Dublin and that those who believe the left can only win one seat in a three-seater, working-class constituency underestimate the power of the new alliance. But that's playing politics. If he wants a Labour Euro nomination, he will have a fight on his hands.

Then there's the question of jobs. Labour had a bonanza in the last Rainbow with six seats at Cabinet. That's unlikely to happen with FF and there's the added complication of several very active and capable DL deputies also expecting Mercs.