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Abstract
This article charts the Irish Labour Party’s (ILP) journey from a minor to mainstream political party between 1987 and 1992. This is arguably the most turbulent period in the party’s electoral history, when the ILP performed significantly below its average result, before making unprecedented electoral gains. It identifies the factors which led to this fall and rise during the discussed period and reflects on the ILP’s place in the Irish party system arguing that the term ‘mainstream’ or ‘proximal mainstream’ party with regard to the ILP is perhaps more appropriate than the terms ‘major’ or ‘minor’ party, especially in view of its return to its usual level of support following the gains of 1992.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Mr Paul Dillon, Cllr Keith Martin, Mr Brendan Halligan, Ms Ita McAuliffe, Deputy General Secretary of the ILP, and Mr Mike Allen, former general secretary of the ILP for their assistance with this article. Thanks also to our interviewees and their administrative assistants.
Notes
1. Stagg was described as a ‘Thorn in the side’ of the ILP leadership (Magill Christmas Annual, 1987).
2. Áras an Úachtaráin is the Irish president’s official residence.
3. K. Rekawek interview with Henry Patterson, Professor of Politics, University of Ulster, UK, former member of the executive bodies of the WP, Belfast, 26 January 2007.
4. Including Bree’s fellow Sligo‐man, Joe Costello (interview with Joe Costello, 16 October 2008).
5. For example, the introduction of water charges by Dick Spring.
6. The ILP secured 15 per cent of the vote in the 2009 local elections (Quinlivan & Weeks, Citation2010), and 14 per cent of the vote in the European elections (Quinlan, Citation2010).