Sir, - Regarding the article (June 21st) on Niamh Bhreathnach's puzzled but dignified response to her defeat, I wish to make the following comment.
If it's any consolation to her it was not her that the electorate was after: it was her leader. The spectacular success of the Labour candidates in 1992 owed everything to Dick Spring. His crusade against corruption and cronyism typified by the beef exports issue and the purchase of passports, together with his consistent attacks on the Government on the issue of social welfare cutbacks, convinced a significant section of the electorate that here was the leader they had been waiting for.
Canvassing for Mervyn Taylor and Eamon Walsh in Dublin SouthWest it was obvious within a couple of days that Labour was on a roll: it was more of a triumphal procession than a canvass. I recall suggesting to Mervyn Taylor that the party should consider increasing the number of candidates. Niamh and Eithne and Joan, Derek and Toddy and Moosajee were all Dick's surrogates. Under his mantle they couldn't lose.
And then? Labour joined a coalition led by Mr Reynolds and said goodbye to its hardwon moral authority in an instant. The fact that for much of the time this coalition gave us very good government was immaterial: the thousands who had crossed party lines to vote Labour felt betrayed and the recent election was the first opportunity they got to show just how they felt.
Of course or as usual, there is a historical precedent for Labour's misfortune. In 1948 Clann na Poblachta was the party promising a new, cleaner political morality. Under Sean MacBride they won 10 seats, joined the first inter party government, and very soon C na P was a thing of the past. I suppose the PDs must come under a similar heading.
The sad news for Labour supporters like myself is the feeling that this is a Spring tide that will not be coming in again in a hurry. Maybe I'm wrong. I certainly hope so, particularly with regard to Niamh Bhreathnach and Eamon Walsh. Perhaps a dose of the humility Niamh referred to might just be the right medicine. - Yours, etc.,
Ballyroan Road,
Dublin 16.