Comments on: Irish Labour History is a Strange Fish http://dublinopinion.com/2007/02/27/irish-labour-history-is-a-strange-fish/ It's a group blog. What more do you need to know? Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:39:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Dublin Opinion » Blog Archive » RABBITTE TO SELL LABOUR FOR A BUCKET OF BLUE BEANS http://dublinopinion.com/2007/02/27/irish-labour-history-is-a-strange-fish/#comment-20604 Dublin Opinion » Blog Archive » RABBITTE TO SELL LABOUR FOR A BUCKET OF BLUE BEANS Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:31:47 +0000 http://dublinopinion.com/2007/02/27/irish-labour-history-is-a-strange-fish/#comment-20604 [...] In truth, The Labour party handed Fianna Fáil the cities, and Fianna Fáil have not let go since. (for a further analysis, see here.) [...] […] In truth, The Labour party handed Fianna Fáil the cities, and Fianna Fáil have not let go since. (for a further analysis, see here.) […]

]]> By: Ben http://dublinopinion.com/2007/02/27/irish-labour-history-is-a-strange-fish/#comment-5510 Ben Thu, 01 Mar 2007 13:41:43 +0000 http://dublinopinion.com/2007/02/27/irish-labour-history-is-a-strange-fish/#comment-5510 One last point. in 1927, the Labour party won 22 seats in one of its best showings ever. The party's election results from 1920 to 1932 make a mockery of its inter-generational voting patterns excuse for not securing the Irish working class vote. Quite simply, it never chased it and stuck to the trade union movement - working people who, nowadays, would be quite content to regard themselves as middle-class. Skilled workers, office workers, teachers, and clerical grade civil servants. One last point. in 1927, the Labour party won 22 seats in one of its best showings ever. The party’s election results from 1920 to 1932 make a mockery of its inter-generational voting patterns excuse for not securing the Irish working class vote. Quite simply, it never chased it and stuck to the trade union movement - working people who, nowadays, would be quite content to regard themselves as middle-class. Skilled workers, office workers, teachers, and clerical grade civil servants.

]]> By: Ben http://dublinopinion.com/2007/02/27/irish-labour-history-is-a-strange-fish/#comment-5457 Ben Wed, 28 Feb 2007 23:52:13 +0000 http://dublinopinion.com/2007/02/27/irish-labour-history-is-a-strange-fish/#comment-5457 Thanks worldbystorm. The main point I'm trying to make is that the Irish Labour party did not just rise out of the trade union movement - it was more than happy to stay within it. It was never a community-based party the way that other social democrat parties are/were. Its branches and structures mirrored those of the ITGWU et al. And the William O'Brien, anti-Larkin ITGWU as well. since the 1980s it has tried to change, but has fallen into this creation myth about itself that external forces, and not its own actions, are responsible for its lack of success in becoming the leading opposition party inthe country. I mean, WHY is it willing to support a right-wing idiot like Enda Kenny for Taoiseach? Why not Pat Rabbitte as Taoiseach? Fine Gael LOST 23 seats last time, and Rabbitte sees it as his duty to prop them up? Has this guy been taking lessons from Thomas Johnston? In politics, when your opponent is on the ground, you kick him. The Irish electorate do not want Fine Gael, and Rabbitte's their lifeboat. By the way, my analysis is heavily influenced by Emmet O'Connor. If you get a chance, read any of his stuff. Thanks worldbystorm. The main point I’m trying to make is that the Irish Labour party did not just rise out of the trade union movement - it was more than happy to stay within it. It was never a community-based party the way that other social democrat parties are/were. Its branches and structures mirrored those of the ITGWU et al. And the William O’Brien, anti-Larkin ITGWU as well. since the 1980s it has tried to change, but has fallen into this creation myth about itself that external forces, and not its own actions, are responsible for its lack of success in becoming the leading opposition party inthe country. I mean, WHY is it willing to support a right-wing idiot like Enda Kenny for Taoiseach? Why not Pat Rabbitte as Taoiseach? Fine Gael LOST 23 seats last time, and Rabbitte sees it as his duty to prop them up? Has this guy been taking lessons from Thomas Johnston? In politics, when your opponent is on the ground, you kick him. The Irish electorate do not want Fine Gael, and Rabbitte’s their lifeboat.

By the way, my analysis is heavily influenced by Emmet O’Connor. If you get a chance, read any of his stuff.

]]> By: WorldbyStorm http://dublinopinion.com/2007/02/27/irish-labour-history-is-a-strange-fish/#comment-5441 WorldbyStorm Wed, 28 Feb 2007 21:36:03 +0000 http://dublinopinion.com/2007/02/27/irish-labour-history-is-a-strange-fish/#comment-5441 That's a very interesting analysis indeed. I have to go away and think about it. I particularly think your point about it ceding the field to FF hits home. Makes me wonder about whether the more syndicalist amongst the left (or indeed any who cleave to rigid political structures) have looked at that history. That’s a very interesting analysis indeed. I have to go away and think about it. I particularly think your point about it ceding the field to FF hits home.

Makes me wonder about whether the more syndicalist amongst the left (or indeed any who cleave to rigid political structures) have looked at that history.

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