Labour-FG partnership

Madam, - Political Correspondent Stephen Collins claims that Fine Gael and Labour have adopted an "intelligent political strategy…

Madam, - Political Correspondent Stephen Collins claims that Fine Gael and Labour have adopted an "intelligent political strategy" in coming together to provide an alternative government (The Irish Times, March 15th).

I don't agree. It may be good for Fine Gael but I simply do not understand why the Labour party has committed itself to such a strategy.

The Labour party has received its highest level of support when it has adopted an independent stance, notably in 1992. Every election pact with Fine Gael has seen the Labour party lose support. Even when it has entered government, it has done so in a weakened state and has seen its support fall further at the subsequent election.

Furthermore, since 1989 we have moved on from the polarised politics of Fianna Fáil versus the rest. We now have a modern, European-style, coalition system of government. In such circumstances, rather than tying itself to one party, Labour should maintain an open and flexible approach to government. - Yours, etc,

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AISLING WALSH, London.

Madam, In his analysis of Fine Gael and Labour policies, Stephen Collins claims there are no obvious big policy differences between the two parties. I don't think that this is a very credible position.

These two parties have many significant differences on fundamental issues. Indeed so far this year, there have been more splits than joint policy documents.

Last week, Labour again opposed the sale of Aer Lingus. Fine Gael has welcomed the announcement that the Government is to sell a majority shareholding in the airline.

When the new strategic infrastructure bill was published, Fine Gael welcomed it but Labour condemned it.

Last month, the possible sale of Great Southern Hotels brought howls of outrage from the Labour Party. Fine Gael welcomed the move.

Also in February, as part of its plan to abandon neutrality, Fine Gael called for the triple lock controlling the deployment of Irish troops to be abandoned. For their chosen partners, "the maintenance of the triple-lock is the Labour Party's greatest concern".

In January, Enda Kenny announced his opposition to the introduction of risk equalisation in health insurance. Labour's deputy leader, Liz McManus, has welcomed risk equalisation, saying it is a well-established feature of the health insurance market throughout Europe. The same month, Fine Gael published proposals calling for competition on bus routes - a policy that is anathema to the Labour Party.

These are just some of the issues that have divided the two parties so far in 2006. Put them all together and it is clear that a government involving these parties would be a clear recipe for instability and incoherence. - Yours, etc,

BILLY KELLEHER TD, Deputy Government Chief Whip, Dáil Éireann, Dublin 2.