Labour's job is to bring hope, real change and fairness
Issued : Saturday 28 March, 2009
Statement by Brendan Howlin TD
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
Chair and Delegates,
Every citizen in our State knows full well that we face an unprecedented economic crisis. The people are no fools. They know who led us into this morass and whose failed policies and philosophy compounded a world economic recession into a uniquely Irish tragedy.
Labour's job, a job we have undertaken before; is to bring hope; real change and fairness. The road out of our difficulties will be hugely challenging. Bluntly, unless the way ahead is underpinned by Labour values of equality and solidarity the task will be impossible. We will work our way to a better future together or we risk real fracturing of our society. Those who seek to divide our people - public and private sector/employed and unemployed, students and pensioners - do our economy and our society harm.
It cannot be business as usual into the future. Labour will lead and will realise change. Change in the way business is done and in the way we do our business.
That a new hand on the tiller is needed is beyond doubt. And we won't shrink from the challenge.
It is not Labour's role to let F.F. 'stew in their own juice'. However attractive that proposition might seem - our country deserves and needs more. This weekend and in the coming weeks Labour plans for fair taxation, job protection and job creation and public services will be spelled out. And we will do more.
Our analysis has been proven right: with confidence we must now seek a mandate at local, national and European level to bury the philosophy of individualism and greed; and to build surely and well a new prosperity which is sustainable and just.
