UNITE, Labour Cllrs and Labour Youth in plea for "New start for the Labour Party"

dublin | politics / elections | news report Friday March 04, 2011 14:50 by Red Wedge

Voters should contact TDs if they reject FG led government, says Labour Party Cllr.

A Press conference in Dublin today heard pleas for Labor members to reject a Fine Gael led government and create an alternative future for Labour and Ireland.

The packed out press conference was the latest in series of efforts by Labour members and affiliated organisations to create debate on what a FG led government might mean for Labour and for Ireland.

Speaking in advance of a meeting of the UNITE political committee, UNITE regional Secretary Jimmy Kelly pledged union support to the left in the next Dail. He said if Labour went into opposition it could head up a total of 60 TDs who were opposed to a Fine Gael government from a left-wing standpoint.

2 Labour Cllrs, Patrick Nulty and Cian O'Callaghan, urged members to vote no. Both told the press conference that there was growing unease within Labour on the prospect of a deal.

Labour Youth Chairperson Colm Lawless told the conference that Labour would have little leverage in a FG led government.

Speaking after the conference, Cian O'Callaghan told Indymedia;

"Labour voters need to make their voice heard. Labour voters opposed to coalition should contact their TDs and let them know their feelings. I don't think Labour voters, who have just given the Labour Party and the left their greatest mandate ever, will be very keen on Fine Gael austerity".

The conference is expected to take place on Sunday in the UCD O'Reilly Hall, but may be postponed if a deal is not ready by this time.