Comments on: Blair campaigns for Fianna Fail… http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/ Conversation, politics and stray insights Sun, 27 May 2012 00:18:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: gallonprunk http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137721 gallonprunk Fri, 18 May 2007 09:10:50 +0000 #comment-137721 Joe@18. Gosh - I think you're right. Blair does not actually say "Vote Fianna Fail." And neither does Clinton or Mitchell. So why on earth did FF want these people to appear in a party election broadcast, weeks before a general election, gushingly praising the party leader? Beats me. If Blair appeared in a broadcast praising, say, the BNP leader, would you also think it had no particular political significance? So I'm a little sceptical about your second sentence. Joe@18. Gosh – I think you’re right. Blair does not actually say “Vote Fianna Fail.” And neither does Clinton or Mitchell.

So why on earth did FF want these people to appear in a party election broadcast, weeks before a general election, gushingly praising the party leader? Beats me.

If Blair appeared in a broadcast praising, say, the BNP leader, would you also think it had no particular political significance?

So I’m a little sceptical about your second sentence.

]]> By: IJP http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137700 IJP Fri, 18 May 2007 04:02:30 +0000 #comment-137700 <b>Sammy</b> McDowell-McCartney for bedfellows it is, then! Believe me, I've met them both, and one of them's actually a very nice man... Sammy

McDowell-McCartney for bedfellows it is, then!

Believe me, I’ve met them both, and one of them’s actually a very nice man…

]]> By: Sammy Morse http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137652 Sammy Morse Thu, 17 May 2007 21:30:31 +0000 #comment-137652 <I>I’d have thought you were aware that the PDs have also canvassed for the SDLP in recent elections?<?I> Back in the day, some of them used to canvass for Bob McCartney as well. Along with a few members of Fine Gael. I’d have thought you were aware that the PDs have also canvassed for the SDLP in recent elections?<?I>

Back in the day, some of them used to canvass for Bob McCartney as well. Along with a few members of Fine Gael.

]]> By: joeCanuck http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137587 joeCanuck Thu, 17 May 2007 18:59:03 +0000 #comment-137587 I'd be grateful if one of you experts could point out to me where exactly Tony Blair endorsed FF or their policies rather than simply paying tribute to the enormous contribution Bertie personally made to the recent political progress. No, I'm not stupid. I know that this will put Bertie in a positive light (which was the point of this very professional broadcast) but do the Irish elect parties based on the leader's personality rather than on partry manifestos? I’d be grateful if one of you experts could point out to me where exactly Tony Blair endorsed FF or their policies rather than simply paying tribute to the enormous contribution Bertie personally made to the recent political progress.
No, I’m not stupid. I know that this will put Bertie in a positive light (which was the point of this very professional broadcast) but do the Irish elect parties based on the leader’s personality rather than on partry manifestos?

]]> By: IJP http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137510 IJP Thu, 17 May 2007 16:55:16 +0000 #comment-137510 <b>SS</b> I'd have thought you were aware that the PDs have also canvassed for the SDLP in recent elections? McDowell-Durkan? They also chose to invite (and point out from the platform) a pile of Ulster Unionists to their 2006 National Conference. McDowell-Empey? I'd love to wish them well, as there are some exceptional people in their youth wing, but they do make it difficult...! SS

I’d have thought you were aware that the PDs have also canvassed for the SDLP in recent elections? McDowell-Durkan?

They also chose to invite (and point out from the platform) a pile of Ulster Unionists to their 2006 National Conference. McDowell-Empey?

I’d love to wish them well, as there are some exceptional people in their youth wing, but they do make it difficult…!

]]> By: Fergus D http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137504 Fergus D Thu, 17 May 2007 16:45:09 +0000 #comment-137504 Who can be surprised about this, apparently New Labour were pleased that Sarkozy won the French election against the Socialist Pary candidate. "Labour" and "socialism (of any sort)" means squat to Blair, and many others in New Labour. Who can be surprised about this, apparently New Labour were pleased that Sarkozy won the French election against the Socialist Pary candidate. “Labour” and “socialism (of any sort)” means squat to Blair, and many others in New Labour.

]]> By: abucs http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137475 abucs Thu, 17 May 2007 15:49:13 +0000 #comment-137475 I knew Blair was leaving Westminster but i didn't think he was that "hard-up" for a gig ???? :o) I knew Blair was leaving Westminster but i didn’t think he was that “hard-up” for a gig ???? :o )

]]> By: Jenny http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137467 Jenny Thu, 17 May 2007 15:07:37 +0000 #comment-137467 It is a surprising intervention on behalf of FF - does Blair actually realise there's an election going on in the South? But I doubt it'll damage Irish Labour - whereas Tony Blair's endorsement might have done. It is a surprising intervention on behalf of FF – does Blair actually realise there’s an election going on in the South? But I doubt it’ll damage Irish Labour – whereas Tony Blair’s endorsement might have done.

]]> By: seanzmct http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137436 seanzmct Thu, 17 May 2007 13:54:21 +0000 #comment-137436 For years British Labour Party bosses refused to open party membership to people resident in the North of Ireland on the grounds that the party was a "sister" to the SDLP in the Socialist International. The SDLP supported this undemocratic ban on the same grounds. Now we see how spurious this excuse was. On the one hand we have the SDLP considering merger, not with its SI sister , the Irish Labour Party, but with Fianna Fail- thereby confirming that its nationalism takes precedence over any "socialism". Next we have the BLP playing electoral footsie with Fianna Fail rather than supporting Irish Labour. What next, the British Conservatives merging with Sinn Fein? For years British Labour Party bosses refused to open party membership to people resident in the North of Ireland on the grounds that the party was a “sister” to the SDLP in the Socialist International. The SDLP supported this undemocratic ban on the same grounds.

Now we see how spurious this excuse was. On the one hand we have the SDLP considering merger, not with its SI sister , the Irish Labour Party, but with Fianna Fail- thereby confirming that its nationalism takes precedence over any “socialism”. Next we have the BLP playing electoral footsie with Fianna Fail rather than supporting Irish Labour. What next, the British Conservatives merging with Sinn Fein?

]]> By: Hogan from County Tyrone http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137435 Hogan from County Tyrone Thu, 17 May 2007 13:50:34 +0000 #comment-137435 I don't particularly give a sh!t about political alliances but as a party broadcast its very good stuff. But then again having the greatest political communicator of the past 20 years in it was always going to be a good start! I don’t particularly give a sh!t about political alliances but as a party broadcast its very good stuff.

But then again having the greatest political communicator of the past 20 years in it was always going to be a good start!

]]> By: gallonprunk http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137428 gallonprunk Thu, 17 May 2007 13:35:35 +0000 #comment-137428 Isn't the real question not about party solidarity, but about a serving prime minister of one country directly intervening in the election campaign of a neighbour? Isn't that normally frowned on? Isn’t the real question not about party solidarity, but about a serving prime minister of one country directly intervening in the election campaign of a neighbour? Isn’t that normally frowned on?

]]> By: Oilibhear Chromaill http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137423 Oilibhear Chromaill Thu, 17 May 2007 13:31:35 +0000 #comment-137423 Perhaps Pat Rabbitte should consider why he, Ruairi Quinn and the editorial writer of the irish news decided it was ok to rain on Blair's and Bertie's parade over the peace process, particularly the invitation to him to speak at Westminster. The peevish outburst of the Labour men was one of the only blots on what was a brilliant fortnight for ireland and for the relationship between this country and Britain. Then he might be able to figure out what solidarity means in the context of solidarity between the different labour parties on these islands..... Perhaps Pat Rabbitte should consider why he, Ruairi Quinn and the editorial writer of the irish news decided it was ok to rain on Blair’s and Bertie’s parade over the peace process, particularly the invitation to him to speak at Westminster. The peevish outburst of the Labour men was one of the only blots on what was a brilliant fortnight for ireland and for the relationship between this country and Britain.

Then he might be able to figure out what solidarity means in the context of solidarity between the different labour parties on these islands…..

]]> By: URQUHART http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137418 URQUHART Thu, 17 May 2007 13:25:35 +0000 #comment-137418 Gonzo, aren't you ignoring the even more significant Prime Ministerial involvement? Paisley in an FF election brodacast - whoda thunk? Gonzo, aren’t you ignoring the even more significant Prime Ministerial involvement? Paisley in an FF election brodacast – whoda thunk?

]]> By: Belfast Gonzo http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137390 Belfast Gonzo Thu, 17 May 2007 07:32:28 +0000 #comment-137390 I haven't canvassed for anyone in a long time. But I doubt if Ford would be asked to appear in a PD video, and McD would probably consider it beneath himself to appear in a APNI one. I just thought the Blair appearance for FF was unusual, and possibly unique. Can't recall a serving British premier appearing in a party political broadcast for a foreign party ever before. Maybe he's de-mob happy. I haven’t canvassed for anyone in a long time. But I doubt if Ford would be asked to appear in a PD video, and McD would probably consider it beneath himself to appear in a APNI one.

I just thought the Blair appearance for FF was unusual, and possibly unique. Can’t recall a serving British premier appearing in a party political broadcast for a foreign party ever before.

Maybe he’s de-mob happy.

]]> By: SuperSoupy http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137384 SuperSoupy Thu, 17 May 2007 06:22:35 +0000 #comment-137384 Just checked. APNI and the PDs are members of the same European group. Shared ideology? Ford and McD? Bedfellows? You canvassing for these reactionaries? Just checked. APNI and the PDs are members of the same European group.

Shared ideology? Ford and McD? Bedfellows?

You canvassing for these reactionaries?

]]> By: SuperSoupy http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137383 SuperSoupy Thu, 17 May 2007 06:12:35 +0000 #comment-137383 Gonzo, Aren't APNI a sister party of the PDs? Gonzo,

Aren’t APNI a sister party of the PDs?

]]> By: Belfast Gonzo http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137380 Belfast Gonzo Thu, 17 May 2007 05:57:55 +0000 #comment-137380 person Thanks for that. person

Thanks for that.

]]> By: Belfast Gonzo http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137379 Belfast Gonzo Thu, 17 May 2007 05:51:22 +0000 #comment-137379 SS Couldn't argue with that. SS

Couldn’t argue with that.

]]> By: also http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137378 also Thu, 17 May 2007 05:37:51 +0000 #comment-137378 You must remember the only Irish Labour member in the European Parliament came via IRA membership to SF to the WP to DL to Labour. But we all have to forget about that? You must remember the only Irish Labour member in the European Parliament came via IRA membership to SF to the WP to DL to Labour.

But we all have to forget about that?

]]> By: SuperSoupy http://sluggerotoole.com/2007/05/17/blair-campaigns-for-fianna-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-137377 SuperSoupy Thu, 17 May 2007 05:32:34 +0000 #comment-137377 In Irish politics the European Socialist link is flexible. The SDLP while being a sister party of Irish Labour get electoral support from the UEN and EPP/ED (FF/FG) - the right and the righter. As always it's about keeping SF out. It still ain't working. Hence the fact the SDLP are never asked to return the favour - being tied to losers and being one at every turn. In Irish politics the European Socialist link is flexible. The SDLP while being a sister party of Irish Labour get electoral support from the UEN and EPP/ED (FF/FG) – the right and the righter.

As always it’s about keeping SF out. It still ain’t working. Hence the fact the SDLP are never asked to return the favour – being tied to losers and being one at every turn.

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