Madam, - Congratulations to Ian McShane on his perceptive analysis of the trends underlying the findings in the recent Irish Times/TNS MRBI poll. He has correctly identified the emergence of a left-wing block comparable in strength to the main political parties. The combined vote for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael has now fallen to 56 per cent. This is the lowest poll for these parties in modern times. On the other hand, the combined votes of the Labour Party, Sinn Féin, the Green Party and left independents is roughly equal to that of Fianna Fáil at 35 per cent.
Within this "left block", the Labour Party is in a minority despite a recent change of leadership. These trends were already emerging at the last general election and I drew attention to them in my speech to the first meeting of the current Dáil. Indeed, the loosening of ties to the traditional parties was already evident in the two South Tipperary by-elections held earlier.
The figure for the European constituency of Dublin in the same poll show that the historic shift in voting patterns is most pronounced there. The combined vote for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael has dropped to 47 per cent. The vote for the "left block" is now approximately the same as the combined Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael vote! Within the "left block", the Labour Party is in an even smaller minority in Dublin. Sinn Féin, at 14 per cent is now just two points behind Labour. The Greens have 8 per cent of the vote. Support for "Others" stands at 10 per cent.
It is certain that supporters of left TDs such as Joe Higgins, Tony Gregory and Finian McGrath dominate the "others" category in Dublin.
Though the left has grown markedly in Dublin, the growth has been mainly outside the Labour Party. Remarkably, the Labour Party vote in Dublin is now marginally below its vote in the Rest of Leinster constituency.
Several months ago, I proposed the formation of a popular alliance. I believe we all have a duty to put an agreed programme for government before the electorate and to form an effective alliance inside and outside the Dáil.
If this task is seriously addressed, I believe this alliance could be the majority partner in the next government. - Yours, etc.,
SEAMUS HEALY TD, Queen Street, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.