speaker at green party conference call for Labour Sinn Fein and Green Alliance

[QuizMaster]

This reminds me of the time I met Paidraig MacLochlainn. He told me he was happy to see "another" progressive political movement in Donegal.

SF progressive? Don't make me laugh. They are a backward unsophisticated version of both FF and FG, and even older than either. Just as populist but not as credible.

[Dare to Dream]

I think you may be right...

After the next election, let's say FF implode and get a mere 50 seats, getting votes from the die hards...

I can see them doing a deal with Labour, possibly making Gilmore Taoiseach or Tanaiste. Then I can see them bringing in Sinn Fein, as well as the 1 or 2 Greens who will be remaining. This coalition would have approx 80 seats. Then they would have the FF gene pool, who will probably escape the blame for the disastrous FF government in recent year. You would be talking about 84 seats, enough to form a government, a pretty pathetic patchwork alright and a weak mandate for the main party, but a government none the less.

FG need a minimum of 65 seats in the next GE to truely bury FF. FG cannot be complacent in their task.

if FF ever seriously consider an alliance with SF I will not even wait for the outcome. I will just leave the country.

[setanta]

Well said juanpablo. As a member of Sinn Féin I hate having to fight Labour and The Green Party as basically I would be happy in any of them. I agree with you totally that the left need to grow up and stop letting the right ff/fg outwit us at every turn.

Problem is, Tern, that the leading party on the Left, doesn't buy your Left credentials. The party spokesperson has made it clear that we'll be doing no electoral deals that enable SF to pimp off us.

[Ciunas]

A formal left alliance is a no brainer when you think about it.

Combine the parties support in recent polls giving in an around 30-35%, with clever vote management and candidate selection you could easily see a left bloc winning 50 seats.

Of course there is lots of baggage currently between the 3 parties and their supporters, but i for one would like for a common left consensus in this country to emerge to tackle Tweedle dee and Tweedle dum.

We used to say they were a Left party. But they were partners to that woful Budget and the next to come.

However one of the motions passed (on TV coverage) called for limiting executive salaries to 7 times the salary/wage of the lowest paid person in the same organization. Sounds like some Lefties still in the Greens.

[QuizMaster]

Not left, not right but ahead.
Sometimes seem left: Against corruption and profiteering.
Sometimes seem right: For personal responsibility and empowerment of the individual.

In fact the left-right axis is about as useful for understanding the Greens as the tory-whig axis was for understanding the labour movement.

[juanpablo]

I recognise that all 3 parties would have element s in their membership that would be pro-business. And their may be lingering distrust between elements in Lab & SF.

But a formal left alliance is no different to any other agreements that parties have negotiated in the past. I'm sure the policy people could sit down and come up with a list of proposals that the 3 parties could find common ground on.

Then its a case of working out a vote transfer pact and candidate selection strategy.

The magic number is 42 seats, reach that and any coalition agreements with parties of the right will involve a legitimate demand for the Taoiseach office to go to the left.

[QuizMaster]

The Greens will work with whoever will let them implement the most Green policies.
In one way, it's better we stick with FF or FG - they are so bereft of ideas they will make more way for ours.

[Marascal]

The magic number is 42 seats, reach that and any coalition agreements with parties of the right will involve a legitimate demand for the Taoiseach office to go to the left.

But this makes no sense, why would SF and the Greens put everything on the line to fight for a Labour Taoiseach?

[juanpablo]

But this makes no sense, why would SF and the Greens put everything on the line to fight for a Labour Taoiseach?

I am only dealing in speculation here, but if you had read what i had to say the 3 left parties would have an agreed policy platform & voting pact going into a General election. I'm sure the 3 parties could agree on who is going to be the alliances leader in DE.

The Greens & SF seemingly would have no problem 'putting everything on the line' for a FF/FG Taoiseach if asked?