Progressive Democrats
PrinciplesThe PD's policies are based upon liberal economic policies such as free enterprise, competition, privatisation (on a case by case basis) and the belief that economic and social growth go together. Like a number of other European liberal parties, they combine these economic policies with a liberal and secular social outlook. In terms of social welfare provision they believe in selective rather than universal benefits, working under the ideal "help only the people who cannot help themselves". Thus they have increased old-age pensions while in government while not increasing unemployment assistance. The core policy that defines their economic outlook is low tax. Low income tax because they believe it encourages people to work and rewards them for their effort. Low corporation tax because they believe it encourages business growth. The party holds that implementation of its tax policies contributed significantly to the mix of circumstances that brought about the sudden growth in the Irish economy known as the "Celtic Tiger". HistoryThe party was founded in 1985 by Desmond O'Malley, a former senior minister in Fianna Fáil governments under Jack Lynch and Charles J. Haughey. O'Malley was a strong opponent of Haughey and was involved in a number of leadership heaves against the controversial and popular Haughey. He was finally expelled from Fianna Fáil for conduct unbecoming a member when he refused to support Fianna Fáil's opposition to the introduction of contraception. O'Malley joined with Fianna Fáil members Mary Harney, Bobby Molloy and Pearse Wyse, Fine Gael TD Michael Keating and former Fine Gael activist Michael McDowell, to set up the new party. In the 1987 general election the new party won 14 seats and 11.9% of the vote, becoming the third largest party in the Dáil. It appeared to gain votes primarily from Fine Gael, whose vote declined by a comparable amount. In the 1989 general election, the party lost most of this support, dropping into fifth place in the Dáil behind the Labour Party and the Workers Party with six seats and 5.5% of the vote. It then formed a coalition government with Fianna Fáil, with Charles Haughey as Taoiseach. Haughey was replaced in February 1992 by Albert Reynolds. After the collapse of Reynolds' first administration later in 1992, O'Malley retired from the leadership of the party. Mary Harney became the new leader and the first woman to lead any of the major Irish political parties. Harney currently serves as Tánaiste (deputy prime minister). In total the Progressive Democrats have participated in coalition governments three times, all with Fianna Fáil (1989-1992; 1997-2002; 2002 to date). Mary Harney has said it makes "no difference" if they are in government with Fianna Fail or Fine Gael as long as they can get policy implemented, "[they] do not want to be in government for the sake of it". In the 2002 general election, the party defied expectations by doubling its Dáil seats to eight, although its share of the vote declined slightly to 4%. Both Progressive Democrats and other commentators have suggested that the party has had a greater influence on government policy since 1997 than might be expected from its size. See alsoList of political parties in Ireland External link
Categories: Liberal parties | Irish political parties |
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