Labour predicts 'hammering' for FF in elections

The Labour Party has predicted an "even bigger hammering" for Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats than commentators anticipate in the upcoming local and European elections on June 11th.

Speaking at the publication of Labour's European election manifesto, party leader Mr Pat Rabbitte said the Government was too preoccupied with missing posters to discuss real European issues and policies.

"Fianna Fáil are being bruised in the electoral battle, their partners in the Government won't even hold their coats," Mr Rabbitte said.

"The PDs have more or less abandoned their electoral politics completely, with no candidates at all in the European elections and a telephone kiosk full in the locals," said Mr Rabbitte.  "A party like that, it has to be said, stands for nothing".

Mr Proinsias De Rossa MEP, refuted suggestions the electorate had grown disinterested with Europe since the financial grants had dried up.

Instead, said Mr De Rossa, people were now more aware of the long-term benefits that greater participation in Europe would provide, such as childcare, parity for the 90,000 part-time workers with their full-time counterparts and a larger role for the EU in global security.

"What they are now concerned about is . . . quality of life," said Mr De Rossa. "What can Europe do to improve social services that people need?"

Mr Rabbitte repeated his desire for the electorate to exercise its vote against the Government, regardless where that preference may lie, referring to recent criticism over his refusal to rule Sinn Féin out of that equation.

He expressed his gratitude to Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, for encouraging his supporters to transfer secondary or tertiary votes to Labour candidates, but refused to return the favour, restricting his direction to non-governmental parties.