FF or FG: what's the difference?

The recent debate on whether Pat Rabbitte will go into coalition with Fianna Fail or Fine Gael highlights the lack of choice in the upcoming election. What difference will it make to the majority of Irish People if Fianna Fail or Fine Gael leads the next government? What fundamental changes will take place if Enda Kenny is the new Taoiseach?

The truth is that there is very little difference in key policy areas like public services, taxation, or Irish neutrality between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

Take public services, for example. Both parties repeat the same mantra that the problem isn't one of underfunding but of inefficiencies within the system. They both promote 'fiscal austerity', which means restricting public spending even when there is a surplus. They both promote privatisation and greater private sector involvement in the provision of public services. Both parties promote the free market view of Ireland as first and foremost a business enterprise - 'Ireland Inc', and put social concerns and people's needs a very poor second. When it comes to Irish neutrality, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are of like mind in approving the use of Shannon Airport by US Military.

There was a time when the Labour Party used to oppose these kinds of policies. A time when they stood up for equality, for working people, for public services, for neutrality. A time when they firmly opposed corruption, not just in words but in demanding action. But not any more.

Nothing fundamentally changed when Labour went into coalition with Fianna Fail or Fine Gael in the past. But now is the time for Labour to change its coalition tune and to stand up as a party of working people and of principle, and to work with parties it has much more in common with, like Sinn Fein, the Greens, People Before Profit and other Left independents. Then people would see how similar Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are. Then we would have a real choice in the next election.
 
We do not want or need a 'US-style' electoral campaign, where elections are about personality and spin without any fundamental debate about policy.

Rory Hearne, People before Profit Alliance