The leaders of Fine Gael and the Labour Party are preparing to offer voters the choice of an alternative government in the coming general election campaign.
Reacting to a public desire for change, Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte held preliminary discussions yesterday in Leinster House in what was described as a positive and fruitful atmosphere. They hope to agree a vote transfer pact and establish the broad principles of a programme for government.
The party leaders have a difficult and complex task. For although more than half of the electorate now want a change of government, according to last month's Irish Times/TNS mrbi opinion poll, a combination of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats still finds greatest support with voters. The obvious need to convince the public that an alternative to the present Government is both available and practical is further complicated by the fact that an election may not be held until 2007. So, while negotiations between Fine Gael and the Labour Party have begun, the outcome is unlikely to be revealed until after the election has been called.
This is all about political tactics and positioning. Unpopular governments tend to regain public support during long summer holidays, when ministers are not being harried and criticised for their mistakes in the Dáil. Rather than sit back and allow that to happen, Mr Kenny and Mr Rabbitte have chosen to fill the political vacuum by inviting the electorate to consider an alternative arrangement. The combined strength of Fine Gael and the Labour Party in opinion polls has regularly exceeded that of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats during the past two years but, in spite of that, Fianna Fáil is still the dominant force within the electoral system.
Some weeks ago, Mr Kenny suggested the two parties should co-operate in running agreed candidates in particular constituencies. That may still happen. But the Labour Party has ambition to develop new candidates and it favours competition. In that regard, the parties will contest the election on separate platforms, even if agreement is reached on forming a government.
Negotiations on a final programme may involve the Green Party, in order to make up the Dáil numbers. And the balance and content of that document would only emerge after the election in order to reflect the various party strengths.
Mr Kenny and Mr Rabbitte have agreed to meet again during the summer. But much of the work in exploring common policy positions and preparing material for the autumn Dáil session is likely to be done through their offices.
Laying the foundations for an alternative government will involve hard work and displays of ministerial ability from many on Fine Gael and Labour Party front benches who have never held office before. It will take more than easy conviviality between the two leaders to convince the electorate they have what it takes.