People in Fingal need change from failed ideas of FG and FF

Speaking at the selection convention for Cllr Duncan Smith, running as Labour’s candidate in Dublin Fingal in the upcoming by-election, the leader of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin TD, spoke about the need for decisive change away from the failed ideas of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

Deputy Howlin said:

“All of the political parties are united when it comes to Brexit and supporting our national interest. That means no hard border on the island of Ireland, and ideally a close future trading relationship with the UK, if they can’t be persuaded to remain in the European Union after all.

“When it comes to the by-elections in November, and indeed the next general election, people won’t be voting on Brexit but on the very immediate problems they face in meeting the cost of living and on the government’s repeated failures in public management.

“Three and a half years of the current government arrangements have shown what we have known for a long time: there is no real difference between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil when it comes to the economy or to the kind of society that they promote. Differences between Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin are about style not substance. Neither one intends to break from the failed policies of the past, despite housing costs, childcare costs and hospital waiting times.

“Labour wants real change. That is why Labour will not support any government formation – including from opposition – unless we receive concrete guarantees and timelines for the delivery of policies that will bring about an equal society.

“These by-elections provide the people with a golden opportunity to send a message to both Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin that we have had enough of their failures.

“In these by-elections we are putting forward younger candidates, with proven capability, who represent the next generation of Labour politicians. They want to build an equal society. In Dublin Fingal, Cllr Duncan Smith is a genuine contender. He is someone who is determined to make a real difference to people’s lives. I’ll be proud to campaign alongside him.”