Labour Rejects Sinn Fein Coalition Plan
SINN FEIN hopes for a new “broad left” electoral alliance were dashed this week when the Labour Party confirmed it would not consider entering coalition with them.
The Labour Party have rejected calls from Sinn Fein members for further co-operation between the parties with a view to forming a new electoral alliance, stating that they will be contesting the next general election as an independent party with no alliances.
The move follows calls by prominent Sinn Fein organiser, Eoin O Broin, for his fellow party activists not to abandon support for the Labour party suggesting a strategy of engagement to build an electoral alliance.
In a recent editorial in Sinn Feins paper, An Phoblacht, O Broin outlined his “Threefold strategy” for luring Labour into a political alliance with his party.
“No alliance for change can be built without their active participation,” Mr O Broin declared.
“Thus Sinn Fein should not abandon the Labour Party but develop a strategy of engagement.”
“This would demonstrate to the Labour Party that Republicans are serious about the objectives of transforming the social, political and economic landscape of this country.
O Broin called for supporters to build working relationships with Labour members at local and national level on issues of common concern, particularly those who disagree with the party’s relationship to Fine Gael.
“There are many activists who do not want to be part of a Fine Gael coalition,” he explained.
“There are others who simply do not see any other viable option in the short term. Those of us who believe that a better, fairer Ireland is possible have a responsibility to engage and convince those who share our borad values that an alliance for change is the best way forward.
Despite his own lack of success in the 2007 general election, O Broin highlighted this years European Elections as an encouraging sign for the left.
He highlighted the growth of the left wing vote to 30 per cent for the first time in the history of the state.
He added that Sinn Fein must now begin his strategy for engaging the Labour Party in order for the left to take advantage of the crisis in the “economic and political model promoted by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael”.
A spokesperson for the Labour party has stated that the Leader of the Labour Party, Eamon Gilmore TD, has made it clear that Labour will be contesting the next general election as an independent political party and will not be forming alliances with any other party.
“He has also made it clear that Labour will not be going into coalition with Sinn Fein after the next election,” the spokesperson added.
However, former Labour Youth organiser, Cllr Cian O Callaghan, has stated that he would be willing to co-operate with any progressive forces within Sinn Fein.
“I think that progressive groups need to work together,” the Cllr stated.
“This definitely includes parts of Sinn Fein, there are many areas where progressive members of both parties and other individuals can work together.”
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Speaking of Sinn Fein and Labour, this was quite curious, they have come a long way.
“Sinn Féin has sent its largest ever delegation to this year’s Labour Party conference in Bournemouth. The delegation includes Assembly members Martin McGuinness, Mitchel McLaughlin, Bairbre de Brún and Francie Molloy, as well as Belfast Councillor Chrissie McAuley.
Speaking after his arrival in Bournemouth, Mitchel McLaughlin explained that “Sinn Féin have for a number of years been attending the Labour Party Conference.
