LEOPARDS DON’T change their spots and neither do politicians. Eleven days into the election campaign and the major parties have begun to woo voters with promises they may not be able to keep. From a position where fiscal undertakings on the European Union-International Monetary Fund bailout were once set in stone, they have now been cancelled and are up for further negotiation. Special offers to select groups have been made and auction fever is likely to intensify between now and polling day.
A slow start allowed the parties to catch their breath following dissolution of the Dáil. They considered the timing of their manifestos and their standing in opinion polls before deciding on tactics and the ground to be fought for in the following weeks. Micheál Martin took the initiative by challenging Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore to a number of televised debates on policies and economic agendas. It was a clever tactic, offering the Fianna Fáil leader an opportunity to look forward, rather than back. He was batted away by the Fine Gael leader on the grounds that, with support in the low teens, Fianna Fáil was in no position to form a government and all five party leaders should be involved. The Labour Party, challenging for the position of Taoiseach, saw it differently. Mr Gilmore agreed to participate and, in presenting a grave, statesmanlike image, was put on the defensive and lost the debate. Mr Kenny’s refusal to participate dominated media coverage and suggested weakness. But, with five-way and three-way leaders’ debates now agreed with RTÉ television, voters will be able to make their own judgments.
Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan’s announcement that the Government would not pump a further €10 billion into the banks, as agreed with the EU-IMF, but leave the task to the incoming government, represented “stroke politics” at its worst. A stunned silence followed the announcement by Alan Dukes that a further €15 billion might be required to recapitalise the banks, before Fianna Fáil denials set in. Changing the agenda, the party offered to revisit pay cuts for trainee nurses. And Mr Martin announced that re-elected Ministers would not claim severance pay.
A perception that this is Fine Gael’s election to lose has been growing steadily. Attacks on the Labour Party are being toned down – apart from charges of being a high-tax party – in preparation for likely coalition negotiations. Special election sweeteners are being offered to those in negative equity and, like the Labour Party, it is hoping to pay for some of its election promises by renegotiating the terms of the EU-IMF bailout and by “burning” unsecured bondholders. Neither party may succeed in its efforts and the consequence for voters would be far-reaching. Offers of radical political and electoral reforms that brought hope of a new departure are beginning to take a back seat as the parties battle for specific advantage. In view of what has happened to the economy and to living standards because of populism and auction politics, voters should keep their wits about them.