Sir, – Your editorial (April 1st) sets out Labour's crisis with great clarity.
The most significant problem for Labour is that it would appear to be wedded to Fine Gael and has been in coalition with it seven times.
The recent period in coalition would appear to have been a complete capitulation to Fine Gael’s extreme right-wing policies. It is obvious that when the working class needed Labour most, it was not available to protect it from severe austerity.
How can Labour have a distinct brand of politics with such a record?
More importantly, what does the party stand for if it is to have a future?
The time has arrived for Labour to adopt a core and absolute policy that the party will not go into coalition, no matter how strong the demand, as each time it coalesces, its policies are watered down or shelved.
I have been a member of the party for almost 40 years and have worked in Dublin South West as a member, councillor and TD.
The outcome after this election has been a virtual wipeout of the Labour vote.
The ordinary members in the party have been to a large extent ignored, and the time has arrived for their opinions and demands to be heard on a regular basis as the future depends on them.
James Connolly would be dismayed with the Labour Party. – Yours, etc,
EAMONN WALSH,
Dublin 12.