Labour urged to rethink election pact plans
The Labour Party should reconsider entering into a voting pact with Fine Gael before the next General Election after its poor performance in last weekend’s by-elections, it was claimed today.
The Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union (ATGWU) which is an affiliated member of the Labour Party, said support for the party had suffered because of the deal in the Meath and Kildare North polls.
Cllr Paddy McNamara fell short by 3.6% of the General Election 2002 vote in Kildare North despite being the largest opposition party in the constituency after last June’s local elections.
However first-time candidate Cllr Dominic Hanigan increased party support by 6.94% in Meath.
ATGWU Regional secretary Michael O’Reilly said today: “The results for the Labour Party are disappointing. They ended up in fourth place in both constituencies.
“In Kildare North they were the biggest opposition party at the last election and were expected to take the seat. Labour not only failed to take the seat, they were reduced to an also-ran.”
Mr O’Reilly insisted the pact will do more to help Fine Gael than it will assist Labour.
“Fine Gael officials are openly stating that in the next general election they will gain over 20 seats from the pact, while Labour will pick up less than five seats,” he said.
“Why is the Labour leadership so determined to do a deal with a party that is using them for electoral advantage?
“This is not a pact between equals. It is just a way for Fine Gael to garner more transfers and seats. Labour is not served by such an arrangement.”
The ATGWU official said Labour has been losing support in, opinion polls since the pact was announced.
He added: “Why is the Labour leadership intent on pursuing a pre-election pact that is so one-sided?
“It may result in handing Fine Gael extra seats but it will ensure that Labour lags behind.
“The Labour leadership should reconsider this strategy and, instead, promote the Labour Party and its candidates.”
