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Read more about: Dublin North East, Fine Gael, Green Party, Labour Party 
Photo originally uploaded by The Labour Party.
It’s voting day today. The sun is shining in Dublin. All over the country people are going to find time to put ones, twos and threes and so on down the list of names who want to represent them.
The last few days of the Election campaign have seen almost a complete breakdown of argument. We’ve been left with bluster and wind.
So let’s ignore it. The poor souls have to do something to try and convince themselves they can control their fate. Imagine the insecurity of knowing that at the end of the week the entire country was going to let you know what they thought of how you were doing in your job.
Away from the frenzy of the election-stepping back for a moment- things get much clearer. We’ve had a government led by Fianna Fáil for 17.5 of the last 20 years. There have been great achievements in that time. It would be churlish to deny that.
But there have been terrible blind spots as well- areas which didn’t get the attention they ought to have. And if the same faces come back, they still won’t see the people standing in those blind spots. We have to correct our course- put things right in planning, health and transport. I’ve a son now. It’s important to take the long view.
By definition the opposition have focussed on the areas where the government has failed. Those issues will be to the forefront of their minds when they get in. For the risk adverse, there is the comforting thought that all the experience of the day to day running of the government resides in the Civil Service. Believe me, they could keep the state ticking over for years.
But ticking over isn’t enough. We need those new eyes. We need the new voices. And we need a new government
Vote today.
you know, it’s one thing if you wrote this yourself – but cutting and pasting political party press releases does this website no favours. where’s the analysis?
I’m bemused by this, Conor. I wrote the post myself. I wrote the two posts I linked to myself. The only thing not from me was the photo. No paste was wasted in the making of this post.
Hi Simon, Apologies. i read the bit “originally posted by the Labour party” and read it as meaning that the article was originally posted by the Labour party. My mistake. sorry about that. That’s what I get for being an early mornig smart arse!
No problem, Conor. An easy mistake to make.
I know the photo shoot is a formality seems a funny photo given Rabbitte was stating his willingness to go into coalition with FF the other day…
Eh, Rabbitte said no to that on the radio (Newstalk) on Monday, using the word “NO”.
Be in no doubt if the numbers don’t add up for the “alternetive” Rabitte will lead his crowd into goverment with Fianna Fail. He will most probably spin some story about saving the government from being reliant on Sinn Fein.
Consider Labour since 2005…I doubt Rabbitte will do anything of the sort.
And furthermore, the memories of 1992 and 1997 have scarred Labour. There will be no rush to repeat history.
Well then Dump Rabbitte and Mr. Howlin will oblige
It may be Bertie who will have to step down. We’ll know, of course, in 24 hrs, but if he gets low sixties in seats, that, along with the re-opening of the tribunal, will be enough for Cowen / Martin to make their moves. Cowen as Taoiseach, Rabbitte as Tainiste.
I think Bertie will make a huge play for Sinn Féin, though, as they are his best bet for staying on as Taoiseach. whether he can bring the senior figures in his party with him, I doubt very much. Ahh, giddy speculation….
Dermot, as I said, the memories of 1992 and 1997 have scarred Labour. There will be no rush to repeat history.
I agree with Tom Cosgrave here.. I was canvassing pre the election pact which ended in disaster for labour in 92.. many of my party comrades resigned from Labour because of that pact(myself included) though I rejoined the party some years ago.. If Labour go into coalition with FF after the count; it will cripple the party; will send a message to the electorate in relation to the parties credability and will lead to wide spread resignations from members… I cannot see Labour doing business with FF.. Pat has already said “NO” to this many times..How many times is he expected to say “NO?”, before people realise that he means “NO”…..
It wont happen..once bitten………….