THE 1969 general election was notable for the Labour Party's slogan that the "1970s will be Socialist", its opposition to coalition, and its recruitment of a number of intellectuals as high-profile candidates. Its campaign was undermined by Fianna Fáil's "red scare" tactic of depicting socialism as alien and anti-religious. John Healy was not impressed by Labour's enthusiasm, evident from this extract from his Backbenchercolumn. – JOE JOYCE
Lift up your hearts again. Our cause is just and God is good. Words taken, my dear brethren, from the departing epistle of Blessed John Francis The Original to the Milesians [Seán MacEntee of Fianna Fáil].
It was as good a swan-song as any and the plumage was all his own. We’ll miss Old Mischief and his points of order, but sure God never closes one door but He opens another and if Ireland’s most famous da-in-law is bowing out is it not to make place for the son-in-law, Conor Cruise [O’Brien], that political cygnet who, while looking suspiciously like an ugly duckling just now, will come in the fullness of time to be the bearer of the beauty and the plumage of the cresting swan?
I am to complement Labour on acquiring Dr. David Thornley. It can now boast a Trinity of Doctors: Dr. Conor, Dr. David and Dr. Noel [Browne]. (Never mind Doctor John O’Connell – they didn’t hold a press conference for him).
In the Labour Party all men are equal: it’s just the capitalist press which has a trick of making some more equal than others. I mean, if Brendan and the lads were to hold a press conference to announce that a five-eight from Foxrock or Ballyfermot joined the Labour Party, who do you think would turn up? Yes.
And didn’t we see it many a time at the Annual Conference when a nobody on the floor got up and had the go like a Maurice O’Connell and the telly lads went looking for him afterwards, sight nor light wouldn’t be found of him. But in the Labour Party all men are equal.
Personally, I love equality, I do not think it fair that one personality should get a break over others with less expertise in communicating. I would hate to see an injustice done to any brother in the Labour Party. Especially in the Big Brother field. Unlike Mr. Gay Byrne, I am quite prepared to print here the address of the church at which, of a singing Sunday morning, Dr. Conor Cruise O’Brien performs in the choir. Dr. Noel Browne should feel free to send me his roster of choir duties or what it is he hangs around his neck.
My young man has a lot of admiration for young David. He understands the need to make your position clear; he marvels at the idea of living in a society where any evidence that you might be a Christian is enough to light up the protesting Telefis switchboard like a Christmas tree. How much tougher then for young David to say he is not only a Christian but a Catholic, to boot! Personally I’m sorry he didn’t take along his Missal – Dr. David, I mean – for it makes “To Katanga and Back” look like a thin paperback.
David is finding the marketplace of politics a bit rough. Smear is a word with which he is becoming familiar: he shows a sensitivity which is a little odd for a political commentator. It prompts me to consider whether or not I should run a crash course for dons. I can give it to them in one line: smile – even when it hurts. There is only one corra cainte: “Thanks for the mention.”
I can’t see why Fianna Fáil dragged its feet for so long in setting up a university in Limerick. U.C.D. was always a Hib. establishment and now, begod, Trinity is producing a stream of Leftists to lead the New Republic. I’m telling you, if Fianna Fáil get back this time they’ll be looking for an Oath of Allegiance from them young fellows as be’s on “Seven Days” or the farming programmes.
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