The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
After ten years as leader, Spring says he is here to stay
November 1991
SURROUNDED by party colleagues, former rugby teammates and guests, such as British Labour Party Leader Neil Kinnock; Dick Spring celebrated his ten years in Irish politics this past week with the message that he is in Kerry and in Irish politics to stay.
Dismissing rumours that he and his family would move to the United States, the Labour Party leader told The Kerryman that it was his intention to remain in Ireland and lead his party on to greater successes in future elections.
He would not set a definite target by which he hopes to see a Labour Government — nor would he speculate on the likelihood of he himself becoming Taoiseach.
“There are huge changes coming about in Irish poli- tics; we have to learn to walk before we can run. My shortterm aim is for every constituency in the country to have an opportunity to vote Labour,” he said.
On his ten years in Irish politics, Deputy Spring cited the election of Mary Robinson as President as the highlight of his career, while the General election of 1987, in which he held on to his seat in North Kerry by just four votes, was the low point.
“That was an absolute low point and I’d like to think that it would never happen again; every election is different and the people have a chance to make their point every couple of years.”
“I have a good relationship with Mr Kinnock on a personal level and I am hoping that the next time I visit him will be at Downing Street,” he said.
Apart from the continued success of the Labour Party, the North Kerry Deputy’s hopes the next ten years will include an end to the unemployment problem in this country and an end to the ongoing strife in Northern Ireland.
He was not willing to speculate if he himself would still be leader of the Labour Party by the year 2001. “I have to survive in North Kerry first. I will be leader of the Labour Party for the next five years but it’s hard to speculate after that.”
On the subject of his rumoured move to the States, Deputy Spring is adamant that he has no intention of leaving his home in Tralee.
“There have been rumours for years that I’m going to head to Europe or go back to the States. But the truth is that my wife and family and I are very happy here, enjoying life in Tralee, and I’ve every intention of remaining on this side of the Atlantic.”