The general election campaign has begun. The Labour Party's annual conference in Tralee decided by a margin of more than three to one to enter negotiations on a pre-election pact with Fine Gael.
The organisation rallied behind the leadership of Mr Pat Rabbitte and his strategy to offer voters a clear alternative government well in advance of an election.
The question of whether the party should adopt such a strategy, or embark upon a "go it alone" approach, provided the most intense discussion of the weekend. The passion and commitment displayed by both sides in that televised debate can only benefit the party and contribute to the health of our democracy. It is important to note, however, that what was at issue was not the kind of society the Labour Party favoured, but the mechanism to be used in achieving its goals. And, when the vote was taken, those who had argued most strenuously against a pre-election arrangement publicly accepted the decision of conference.
It will not be easy to maximise Labour Party support and remove Fianna Fáil from office. Labour suffered a series of disappointments in local, European and by-elections while Fine Gael, its putative partner in government, performed well. In the circumstances, the fears of the opponents of a pre-election pact that Fine Gael would benefit disproportionately from such an arrangement was understandable. Labour must sharpen its image in the time that remains before the general election.
An effort to do just that was reflected by the publication of its childcare policy, which was described as "non-negotiable" in future talks with Fine Gael. Mr Rabbitte used his leader's address to emphasise that putting Labour at the heart of government meant a better quality of life would be made available to the greatest number of citizens. There would be a rebalancing of fiscal policies. Tax rates would not rise for hard working families but tax shelters for millionaires would be dismantled. The terrible waste of public money would be brought to an end. Healthcare and education services would be improved. Community policing and Garda reform would be advanced and anti-social behaviour tackled.
The Labour Party leader declared that we had a strong economy but a society under strain because of poor government management. He blamed Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats for failing to share the benefits of economic growth. But, as Mr Rabbitte himself recognised, rhetoric and strategy do not, of themselves, elect TDs. There is a long and difficult road ahead.