Socialist TDs vow to be real opposition
Four Socialist Party TDs could be the “real Opposition” in the Dáil after the General Election, it was claimed today.
Launching his four-page manifesto, lone TD Joe Higgins said he needed more leftist colleagues to hold the Government to account on many issues.
The party is calling for major social housing schemes across the country, a public-owned national health service and the abolition of the social partnership process.
Mr Higgins, who was jailed for a month in 2003 for opposing bin charges pointed to his track record on Gama workers’ rights, water charges and management fees.
The Dublin West TD added : “We would be far more powerful outside any Coalition and provide effective Opposition. We won’t be a prisoner in any right-wing government. We don’t want to sacrifice our policies by being in government.”
The outspoken parliamentarian said he would push to outlaw land speculation and end unrestricted profiteering in the property market.
“The cost of buying a home under the current government has increased by 350% in the past 10 years,” he said.
He accused the Greens and Sinn Féin of suppressing radical policies to get ready for inclusion in possible Coalition options.
The other Socialist Party candidates are Cllr Claire Daly (Dublin North), Cllr Mick Murphy (Dublin South West) and Cllr Mick Barry (Cork North Central).
“We are very confident but not arrogant or complacent or cocky.
We have stood up and provided an alternative to the establishment blocs in the Dáil as well as being very active on the ground on crucial issues,“ Mr Higgins added.
National director of elections Kevin McLoughlin said most voters were most concerned about public services but the mainstream political parties were falling over themselves to pledge income tax cuts.
He claimed that the estimated 100,000 who marched in workers’ rights demos following the Gama controversy were not being represented by the current Government.
“We want to put down a marker and continue to build a strong socialist movement from the ground up,” he added.
