The Bluesirts

Its a win win to focus attacks on Fine Gael in the run up to the election.

For a  start, it is a complete waste of energy to concentrate too hard on Fianna Fail.  All of the groundwork has already been done there and as Leonard Cohen would say...'Everybody knows.'

Fine Gael have so far managed to get away with portraying themselves as the harbinger of change.  Vote the FF gangsters out and the professional suits of Fine Gael can take the reins and...well, nothing actually.  They believe in the same things and will act in just the same way, but with slightly posher accents.  Its only that FF have been in power for much longer that there is a bigger cast of villains and tales of skulduggery.  FG have only had enough time in government to give us Michael Lowry.  And of course, people should be reminded that FG gave us Michael McDowell via the PD's.

Exposing FG has a bonus side effect.  It causes Labour difficulty.  They are continuing to nail their colours to the FG mast and lose the opportunity of a progressive coalition - in or out of government.  They are leaving themselves open to the charge that a vote for Labour is a vote for FG, which I am sure will become a theme in this campaign.  Its not too late for Labour to have a good think about that.

Putting both of these parties on the defensive allows progressive political parties, groups and individuals to put positive and alternative ideas forward.  It has been a long time since I have seen such an opportunity to challenge orthodoxy, take apart spurious arguments and present fresh ideas to an electorate.