Madam, – The most extraordinary result of recent polls has not been the level of support for Fine Gael or Labour, but that for Fianna Fáil. At around 24 per cent (probably more, as polls tend to understate the true level of Fianna Fáil support), this is amazing, given the enormous damage to the country during the past decade or so.
Would it be possible for pollsters to include an additional question for Fianna Fáil supporters in future surveys: what would it take to make you change your vote to non-Fianna Fáil candidates in the next election? It would be truly fascinating to hear the answers to that question. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Labour's position in the I rish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll is a ray of hope in these depressing and difficult times. If its support continues, a genuine transformation in Irish politics could take place at the next general election. This is a historic opportunity to start rebuilding our society and economy from its current ruins. However, there remains a paucity of indepth debate in the public sphere (a notable exception being The Irish Times series on Renewing the Republic) as to what form a new, and better Ireland we are aiming to build.
Labour is gaining significant support as a result of the deep disgust and anger of the people towards the current Government, but it has yet to articulate clearly what it will do in government that will be radically different from the current one. How will it address the unemployment crisis, our two- tier health and education systems or the urgent requirement for regeneration in neglected communities such as Dolphin House, where I work, where housing conditions are so bad that sewage comes up people’s bath and sinks daily?
How will it make Ireland’s economy and society sustainable, more equal and truly democratic? Labour should be honest and state to the Irish people that such change will not occur overnight after an election. The reality is that it will require many years, possibly decades, to undo the damage inflicted by the free-market, cosy-cartel and clientelist policies that have been implemented over the past decade. Labour, therefore, needs to communicate very clearly how that change will come about.
Furthermore, the experience in other countries demonstrates that electing governments with great hopes and ideas, such as the Obama administration in the US, is not enough. Bringing about fundamental policy transformations in society and the economy require much more. They require a shift in the prevailing cultural and life values, perspectives and attitudes. The impact of the neoliberal, Celtic Tiger, individualistic period on the Irish psyche should not be underestimated.
Therefore, Labour, and others pursuing community and social justice perspectives, have to engage the Irish people in a participatory and democratic process that analyses where policy went wrong in the past decade, what different practical approaches should be implemented and how people from all walks of society can be involved in that change. Labour could initiate such as process, as an example of its commitment to fundamental change, by facilitating public forums in villages, towns, urban communities up and down the country. Now is an opportune time for this.
The people are intensely angry and depressed but they are clearly looking for alternatives, for leadership and practical solutions. The institutions have failed them. Such a process could ensure that after the next election there is not just a seismic shift in Irish politics and lots of new faces in the Dáil, but much more importantly, a profound transformation – in a progressive direction – of Irish society, our culture and values. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Now that the Labour Party has established itself as a viable alternative in successive opinion polls, will the media now subject it to an adequate level of scrutiny, or are its soundbite headlines too important for good copy? – Yours, etc,