Labour's traditional left of centre political ground is currently a little crowded. The Government is shaping up for a Budget to benefit the lower paid, while Michael Noonan is talking the language of social democracy.
"Social democratic rhetoric comes cheaply to both of them", remarked Ruair∅ Quinn during his speech in Cork.
But with less than nine months to the general election, that is the language the two main parties are talking, and Labour is struggling to put forward a clear message that stands out.
At the weekend it gave it a good shot. Mr Quinn and his economic policy spokesman set out a clear left of centre economic programme. He identified the party strongly with the growing anti-globalisation movement. He said the banning of corporate donations was a precondition for Labour entering government, promised constitutional amendments on neutrality and the rights of people with disabilities, and proclaimed intense hostility to Sinn FΘin.
But it is difficult to put forward a policy message when the first question you are asked by the media - and by many voters - is not what you will do in government but whom you will do it with. In Cork at the weekend the party tried to dispose of the issue that has dominated pre-election discussion of the party: whom it will enter government with when the votes are counted. It sought maximum publicity for the debate by scheduling it during the one hour of live conference proceedings broadcast by RT╔.
The strategy was to send out two parallel messages: firstly, that Labour is leaving all options open, and will campaign as an independent party. But secondly, feelings among Labour's grassroots about Fianna Fβil range from distrust to loathing.
In other words, while the Fianna Fβil option remains open it is the last resort - one to be taken up only if the voters make an alternative impossible. It's a case of anything but Fianna Fβil, but Fianna Fβil rather than nothing. Mr Quinn made his position clear to reporters yesterday: he would prefer government with Fine Gael, the Greens and possibly some Independent support. Fianna Fβil is a last resort, to be considered only if there is no alternative.
Having answered the "who will you do it with?" question as clearly as he intends to this side of an election, Mr Quinn set about explaining what Labour will do. A complete ban on corporate donations is a precondition for entering government, he declared. He promised a constitutional referendum on neutrality and another to safeguard the rights of people with disabilities.
He made bitter attacks on the twin threats to potential Labour growth: the Taoiseach and Sinn FΘin. He targeted Mr Ahern - who is highly popular among urban working class voters seen by Labour as rightfully its - for particular criticism. He was "the weakest Taoiseach in the history of the State. The man who brought back Ray Burke and promoted Liam Lawlor." He characterised Fianna Fβil as a scandal-ridden incompetent Government for the rich - "the champions of greed...Capital taxes are down; the top rate of income tax is down. But homelessness is not and neither are waiting lists. They believe in the laws of the economic jungle. There is no plan.
"There is no strategy. Just a simplistic and naive believe that low business taxes and a free market are the solution for everything."
Mr Quinn - and his main economic spokesmen - outlined a clearly left of centre economic programme. The "New Labour" fad that emerged in recent years of jettisoning traditional left-wing policy ideas appears out of favour.
Mr Quinn pledged to revitalise the role of the State, and listed services his revitalised state would provide. A guaranteed childcare place for every child needing one; free pre-schooling; a backdated £24 pension rise - amounting to a £500 lump sum per pensioner and growing by the week; abolition of the means test for carers.
The party's finance spokesman, Mr Derek McDowell, carried on the traditional left theme, holding out the prospect of borrowing to fund capital, but not current, spending. Mr Quinn reiterated the proposal yesterday. The public enterprise spokesman, Mr Emmet Stagg, set out opposition to further privatisation of commercial semi-state bodies.
The party has already indicated that it favours no further cuts in personal tax rates. It appears to be shaping up to campaign on a clearly left of centre platform of improving public services and paying for them through taxation, while funding the development of roads, railways and other infrastructure through borrowing if necessary.
Mr Quinn also continued the recent Labour strategy of viciously attacking Sinn FΘin, which may threaten Labour ambitions in several constituencies. He condemned the appearance around Dublin of republican murals and hunger strike memorial posters, purporting to mark out "territory". He accused Sinn FΘin of double speak and falsehoods, fuelling tribalism and sectarianism, using hatred for political ends. It had benefited the most from the peace process, yet would not say the war was over, and the process of decommissioning had not begun.
His attack follows a deliberate Labour decision to take Sinn FΘin on head on rather than ignore it. It follows Mr McDowell's assertion on television last week that it was associated with people who had been "murdering Protestants" until recently.
Showing awareness of the concerns of younger people usually seen as depoliticised, Mr Quinn moved to identify himself with the anti-globalisation movement that is engaging growing numbers of young voters. While that protest movement is seen as having no representative in conventional politics, Mr Quinn sought to put Labour at the head of it.
The issues raised were matters for socialists, he said, involving the denial of human and workers' rights and global poverty.
He sided with the cause of sweatshop workers in developing countries manufacturing designer clothing and trainers for abysmal pay in poor conditions.
With the applause of delegates barely finished in Cork City Hall on Saturday night, news came through of the following day's opinion poll results, showing a further slide in Labour support and Mr Quinn's personal standing. The party moved closer at the weekend to defining a clear message for the forthcoming campaign. It still faces a major task in trying to sell it.