Sir, - Antipathy in Labour's ranks to the merger with DL and in particular to the appointment of Proinsias de Rossa as president of the merged party seems to me misplaced. Politics, like life, is ever-changing. Members of DL have shown commendable honesty and bravery in their political journey over the past 30 years. The history of that period with regard to the Workers' Party is in the public arena.
For many like me, who have been in competition with the old Workers' Party and later DL, the level of commitment of their supporters to their beliefs has been awesome. Adjusting policy to changing reality is often painful to contemplate because many sacred cows may have to be slaughtered. De Rossa and his colleagues have changed, but so has Labour. Take a look back at many of the policies voted through at various Labour conferences in the 1970s and 1980s. Would they be adopted today? Would any sane government spend taxes nationalising the banks? Whither Labour's third force in banking of 1992 vintage?
Rethinking how to ensure that there are effective, efficient and accountable services in health, education, job training, transport, housing and welfare should keep party members busy. Sterile knocking of political allies is contrary to the public interest, assuming that the new party might devise coherent answers to the country's problems. The four DL ministers in the last Rainbow government were obviously constructive and effective.
I have directly opposed Proinsias de Rossa in more elections representing Labour than anyone in the present Labour Party. I have also independently stood against him. Despite my best efforts, the electorate preferred Proinsias. Tough on me! However, the political gap between us has closed and I must be honest and support him publicly in his candidacy for membership of the European Parliament.
If Labour addresses the needs and aspirations of the dispossessed and the disempowered in deprived urban and rural areas, the new entity will not be outflanked on the Left. It must do this while retaining middle-class support. Otherwise the new party will contract because it is clear, from election vote tallies, that there is an direct relationship between wealth and electoral participation. History suggests that it is unlikely that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will disappear, so social democracy can best be implemented through coalition with likeminded TDs in either or both of these parties.
Meanwhile, the new party leadership should make a special effort to meet and discuss the reservations of old Labour stalwarts such as Brian FitzGerald and John Ryan. Dissent must be met with respect, not intolerance. - Yours, etc., Dr Bill Tormey,
Glasnevin Avenue,
Dublin 11.