John 142 Report post Posted May 30, 2014 Now that Sinn Fein are the biggest all Ireland party, we'll probably see a Sinn Fein led coalition in Dublin in 2/3 election cycles, then a united Ireland and a progressive government chasing social and economic equality. Not radical by any means, but a great step in the right direction for once. Gombeen politics confined to the dustbin of history and a surge to the left when most of the other European electorate seem to be looking at the right. Any thoughts? 1 Fodla32 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lugh Ildánach 2,352 Report post Posted May 30, 2014 People were saying the same when Fianna Fáil entered the fray. A populist party, with republican sympathy, but without any strong ideological base their populism was easily hijacked by the governing classes. Granted, there is definitely a more leftist slant to the psf rhetoric in the south, but just look at their position in the north where they actually are in government and you see a party as cosy with the business class as any gombeen. In 2/3 election cycles we will have the likes of Mairtín O'Millions representing psf in Dublin too! But before that happens there will be a party elected in the free state on a left wing platform. What they do with that position will define the next 50 years of Irish politics. And just as important is the response of the revolutionary left. If there hasn't been a revolutionary alternative built up by that stage, then the classless and apolitical populism of Sinn Fein will have no challengers and the gombeens will rise through the ranks of the new pretenders. None of this unfortunately brings a united ireland any closer as this will only happen once a different class takes power. 2 Fodla32 and John reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fodla32 3,692 Report post Posted May 31, 2014 FF was actually a much more radical party in the 1930s than PSF is now. The cleared the slums and built tens of thousands of new homes for the working class. And there was much less money available in the 1930s than now. PSF would be afraid to do that now, as it might lower the property values for their new found middle class supporters. 2 Lugh Ildánach and John reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lugh Ildánach 2,352 Report post Posted May 31, 2014 Despite their flaws, you do have to admire their pragmatism and discipline. They know what is possible and what is not. A strong leadership that is able to bring its base round to positions that they would never have thought possible. If the real left had these traits, they would be a force to reckon with. 2 Fodla32 and John reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
