Labour, the Social Democrats and other centre-left parties need to build a “common platform” if they want to make a difference, according to newly-elected MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. 

Currently a TD, Deputy Ó Ríordáin was elected to the European Parliament for Dublin last week during local and European elections. 

The performance across parties in elections last week triggered more discussions around their future – including Labour and the Social Democrats. 

Former Minister Pat Rabbitte said it may soon be time for the two parties to form an alliance – despite the Social Democrats being founded by two former Labour politicians. 

Mr Ó Ríordáin reiterated his own opinion that Labour and the Social Democrats should join forces against Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. 

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have just given up on pretending there’s any difference between them,” he told The Anton Savage Show. 

“I get frustrated looking at the potential for the centre-left to lead the Government. 

“In 40 years' time, if we look back at this period and this was the moment when racism really took off, this is the moment where climate change in Ireland really took off, [we’ll as] what was the Irish left doing. 

“Trying to take seats off each other, trying to take votes off each other and trying to pretend to the world that we’re so fundamentally different that we can't actually coalesce and, and have a common platform.” 

He said Labour, the Social Democrats, the Green Party and SDLP could form an “understanding around what we want this country to look like in 40 years' time”. 

“What is the point of a centre-left party going into Government getting hammered, then another centre-left party going in it goes into Government and gets hammered?” 

Green Party MEP Ciaran Cuffe talks to Labour Party Aodhan O'Riordan after losing his seat during results for the European elections in the RDS Dublin. Photo: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

He pointed out Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil “crept on” 50% support in local elections – and a centre-left alliance could knock them down. 

“I would love to see a centre-left Taoiseach and that Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael maybe if they want to come in and join that Government as a minor party, we can talk to them.” 

Mr Ó Ríordáin said he wouldn’t consider Sinn Féin centre-left currently as it is “moving to the right on immigration”. 

“They have a lot of reflection to do – I'm pretty disappointed in them,” he said. 

The Labour politician said he noticed a lot more “anti-immigrant feeling” during campaigns this year compared to previous elections, including “very vocal people on doors”. 

He also noted there was less of an anti-Government feeling than in 2019 and 2020 when Sinn Féin topped the poll in the general election. 

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