why did De Rossa sell out on the EU

by its quiet simple Thu Sep 12, 2002 14:44

The reason he sold out on all his principles including a socialist opposition to the eu superstate is much less complicated than that. He wanted to get on board the brussells gravy train.

by Liam, Finglas Thu Sep 12, 2002 14:59

Has anyone seen De Rossa lately? He's nowhere to be seen even in his former Dail constituency. Mind you there'll be a Euro election in two years time so he may stir himself shortly... Opportunist that he is.

by how true Thu Sep 12, 2002 15:51

dont forget that fat pig Geraghty, many people in the workers party never will, he also sold out on the Nice as well as everything else. Joe Carolan and the many trade union brothers and sisters who heckled him on the 1st may outside liberty hall were right.

by E Thu Sep 12, 2002 16:55

since the election, DeRossa is now only an MEP as Dublin North West lost a seat in the electoral boundary rearrangements so to allow Roisin Shorthall to take the Labour seat, DeRossa took the decision to stand down at the time of the DL/LP merger.

by Tom Sullivan - None Fri Sep 13, 2002 01:18 t_d_sullivan2002 at yahoo dot com

I do not see the reason for all this hostility towards de Rossa's involvment in the so-called "gravy train". Perhaps he has been convinced of the value of European integration from a closer study of the subject? Would it be better to have no Irish represenatives on the European Parliament or in the Convention on the Future of Europe? If as I expect, readers of Indymedia are concerned about the global environment, fair trade and other human liberties issues then I would suggest that engagement in the EU is preferable than rejection of it. The alternative is a planet completely dominated by the US with no possible challengers. At least we can influence the decisions of the EU either indirectly through our government, our MEPS' or directly through major NGOs and pressure groups who have offices in Brussels.

by Liam, Finglas Fri Sep 13, 2002 10:27

Actually De Rossa didn't have much choice in the DL/LAB merger. Rabbitte, Gilmore and McManus were going to jump ship anyway. He got his Honorary Presidency of the Labour Party to keep him quiet. He gave up the seat because he looked like losing it anyway. He only held on by 100 votes in 1997 and with one fewer seat, his arse was doomed. So he scarpered off to Europe. Himself and Geraghty sold out on the Irish working class. They betrayed their party but also betrayed the entire working class by damaging the credibility of left politics.

by E Fri Sep 13, 2002 15:07

..yes indeed they have sold out. I have a copy of the Workers Party pamphlet issued at the time of the split attacking the attempt to break up the party, interesting to see what he was thinking at the time, even then the old WP were saying that the only place he would end up in the Labour Party but needed a political stepping stone at that time i.e. Democratic Left.

by Sean Sat Sep 14, 2002 00:47 New York

De Rossa has sold out so many times over his Political career,its a joke.

by g Sun Sep 15, 2002 03:08

For those who keep an open mind, political opinions vary from day to day while core values remain a constant. De Rossa never sold out on his core values, those of social justice, equity and freedom. The man merely changed his mind on this particular issue. He came round to the idea of Europe as many people have done. Many of those (including myself) who were initially highly critical of Ireland's haste to join the EEC, are reassessing our stance. Given the blatant benifits which have been accrued as a direct result of membership, I think it is fair to say that WE WERE WRONG. Surely it is better that De Rossa acknowledges this than to stubbornly tow a reactionary line that he no longer believes in. Like any of us, a politician should be allowed to follow his conscience and change his mind without being slated for selling out.

by faker baker Sun Sep 29, 2002 00:54

De Rossa did sell out on his core values. He has done nothing other than give lip service to issues such as social justice, equity and freedom. The man is a hypocrite and a disgrace. Just look at his statements over the years and his actual record.