13th Jul 2008
Are Fianna Fail Social Democrats?
Are Fianna Fail Social Democrats? That’s the question which is being posed today by SDLP MLA, Patsy McGlone.
Just a week after Mark Durkan said the party was not for sale and Brian Cowen said there was little chance of FF organising North pf the border in the short or medium term, the Mid Ulster MLA has come up with an interesting proposition - that FF and the SDLP enter into a ‘contract for social democracy’ .
According to the Sunday Business Post, McGlone said the SDLP had to consider realigning on an all-Ireland basis, as the economy, culture and sport were all coming together on that basis.
”On a personal level, it is a widely-held view of many of us in the SDLP that the natural alliance is on social democratic grounds with Fianna Fáil,” he said. ”Quite clearly, Fianna Fáil is representative of the same body, socially and economically, as ourselves, because we have a common inheritance of constitutional republicanism.
”There is a commonality of spirit with the parties in the Republic, but to a greater extent with Fianna Fáil.”
McGlone is in favour of a ”contract for social democracy” with Fianna Fáil, ensuring economic growth and protection of the least well-off. The link would mean a strong nationalist alternative to Sinn Fein, capable of putting Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party under pressure.
”People are saying to me that it’s good there is an executive, but what legislation have we seen? What investment? Young mothers are asking what is happening with the education system,” said McGlone.
But he said that, while a linkup was needed, laying down a time-scale would be wrong. ”There is a progression of negotiation, of talks, of different emphases within different parties in any dialogue,” he said.
He is open as to whether the SDLP should merge completely with Fianna Fáil, or have a looser alliance. ”There may be something radical out there in terms of structure which has not been considered.”
This interesting intervention from the Mid Ulster MLA is not without difficulty. As a social democratic party the SDLP is a sister party of the Irish Labour Party and a full member of the Party of European Socialists. Is Patsy suggesting that Fianna Fail should also become part of this international fraternity?
Mark Durkan’s remarks last week were clearly designed to close this debate and a response to the growing view within the Party that the SDLP and its principles are not for sale. If you ask very, very many members they will tell you that they want to be in a strong SDLP, not FF, FG, Lab or the PDs.
One thing for sure. The endless discussion about the SDLP’s future lying in the hands of others is a distraction from the real challenges facing the party, to reorganise, recruit new members and renew its policy platform. All three of which are surely a prerequisite for successful future realignment.
Mr McGlone is right. The SDLP need to become more of an opposition in the North. That is something they can achieve themselves if they put their mind to it.
As for his offer of a contract with a social democratic FF, the ball is now in the soldiers of destiny’s court. Many will be very interested to hear their response, particularly given their commitment to private sector involvement in the southern health service.
Great blog, subscribed to your rss feed. Thanks.