The thing I remember most from the 2002 election campaign was Ruari Quinn’s platform. The message was simple Labour were an independent party. They had a set of polices and whoever implemented they would go in power with. It was a brave strategy that many criticised yet due to its honesty lead to Labour gaining 3 seats against a powerful Fianna Fail tide, which was some achievement. However, now instead of an strong dynamic Labour Party we have: