Labour party leader Ivana Bacik has said that if she is re-elected her first task will be to speak to all the party leaders about “forming a common platform” as the public wants to see change.
Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrne show, Ms Bacik said she hoped that there will be a “maximum return” of Labour TDs so that they can deliver change.
“Our ambition clearly is to grow support for Labour, for our vision and our values and for our wonderful 32 candidates across the country. We do, of course, want to see an increase in the number of Labour TDs returned to the Dáil. And I think we have some momentum behind us now.
"We saw really strong and positive results in the local and European elections this summer, 56 councillors returned and we now have 57 because an independent has joined us. So we're hearing great reports across the country. I've been out canvasing across the country.
“I'm hoping to see the maximum number returned that we possibly can. But it's not just about returning Labour TDs. It's about ensuring that we can deliver the change our communities need. And across the country, what our candidates are hearing from people is that appetite for a constructive message of change, the positive change that we in Labour stand for, that idea of an active state, a state that will deliver for people child care and health care and disability services, and crucially on housing.”
“After the election, and we're not assuming anything in advance of the election because clearly nobody has cast a vote yet. I'm out knocking every door and fighting for my own seat. But after the election, if I am returned as a TD, the first thing that I propose to do as the leader of the Labour Party is go to the leaders of other parties and, indeed other groupings that share our vision and our values.
"Our values of the left of the centre left, the social democratic movement and indeed the Green movement, and seek to speak with them about forging a common platform to ensure that we can see the delivery of our vision to support the communities, the families facing eviction, the children on waiting lists is crucial.”
“Let me be absolutely clear. I'm talking about speaking first with the leaders of the Green Party and the Social Democratic Party. We all share a common vision and common values.
“I've a long history in my own political career of collaborating, working constructively with others to achieve change. But I think it would be presumptuous at this stage before any votes have been cast to start.”
