Labour must learn lessons from poor poll rating

Today’s poll rating where the Labour Party receives just 11% support and comes in fifth after independents is an alarming poll result. Voters who turned to the Labour Party in the last few years are turning away. They are clearly disappointed with the Labour performance in government. If this downward trend continues the Labour Party is facing electoral wipe out.

However this downward spiral can be reversed. Labour must insist that a number of core policies are implemented in this government. At a minimum these should include:
• Protection of the marginalised and vulnerable. For example the devastating cuts to DEIS schools should be reversed immediately.
• Job Creation. Current government policies are increasing unemployment rather than creating jobs and this must be reversed.
• Policy measures must reduce rather than increase income inequality: there must be a halt to measures such as the flat rate household tax which increase income inequality rather than reduce it. Taxation instead should be proportionate, fair and progressive.
• The policy of austerity and cuts which is creating a downward economic spiral must be stopped. Alternative measures to close the budget deficit must be implemented including closing tax reliefs/ tax expenditures and taxing wealth