Coalition Killing

Definitively ruling a given party out of coalition is a tactic.  It is a tactic designed to undermine credibility and to dissuade support.

In spite of the designed ambiguity of Sinn Féin' approach during the 2007 election on the matter of potential coalition with Fianna Fail, the latter used every opportunity to rule out such an arrangement.  Fianna Fail's approach was designed to undermine SF and arguably it was a successful tactic in limiting the growth of a party that had been making inroads.

I believe that it was also true that regardless of the outcome, that FF - still heavily influenced, if not populated, with the PD's and fellow travellers, would not have accommodated SF.  The antipathy to SF among the political establishment of all hues should never be underestimated..

Of course, what isn't always given a fair hearing by the progressive left is that there wasn't an appetite among the SF grass roots for any coalition with FF.  SF's postion was placed before the membership as tactical - that ruling out the option to participate in government in the south, while in 'government' in the 6 counties, would have been foolish.  It would have flown in the face of realpolitik.  I would have disagreed with that approach, but having had a fair argument, I would have been on the losing side in the debate.  Fair enough.

Labour ruled out coalition with FF at that time.  It probably served them well to do that, as they grew in the polls and could present themselves as principled.  Where Labour completely fall down is in their willingness to coalesce with FG - a mirror image of FF and who advocate policies that would have led to exactly the same inequality and cronyism as we have seen.

Many people are watching Labour and Sinn Féin in terms of what both parties will say about Coalition with conservative and reactionary parties.  Both parties can and should use the tactics employed by FF and FG in terms of ruling out coalition with right wingers.  The credibility of a FG government would take a real hit if Labour looked to its progressive soul and sought alternative options.  The prospect of wiping FF from the map would be given a huge boost by SF making it crystal clear that coalition with them is off the agenda.

There is enough fluidity out there for anything to happen.