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Another Fine (Gael) Mess
Read more about: Fine Gael, Irish Election, Irish Politics
I reckon anyone like me who was hoping that this year’s election would bring forward a tidal wave of change to our political climate will be banging their heads off walls in frustration with recent events in the Fine Gael party.
We have barely recycled our New Year’s bubbly bottles and already we see Enda “Can He?”’s Blueshirts shooting themselves in the foot yet again.
Call them mavericks, call them dissenters, call them whatever you want; TDs Deasy and English both carry the party whip and if they are making such public statements, it has to strike a very large nail into the coffin of their party leader right at the very time he needs to display unity within his ranks.
I have stretched every sinew of my political credibility to make myself believe the Mullingar Accord bedfellows could lead this country. The real fact of the matter is that I can’t see them as believable leaders. It’s like the way you squint your eyes when looking at a photo of yourself to see a resemblance with a pin-up movie star. Eventually you have to give in that it’s just not going to happen.
Maybe I would rather moan about Comrade Bertski & co for another few years. If I resign myself to that, I can pin my hopes on the PDs getting the boot from Government offices at very least.
One thing I’ve always wondered: we give a lot of our political positions respectability by giving them Irish titles, like “Taoiseach,” “Tánaiste,” or “Ceann Comhairle.” Why isn’t there one for the Opposition Leader? Would introducing the FG leader as “Mr Enda Kenny, An Ceann Freasúra” give him a bit more je-ne-sais-quoi?
Yeah, I know, it does smack of desperation, doesn’t it? Oh well, no harm in trying.
It seems as though English was completely misquoted and just said that Deasy was free to say what he wanted and that party rules dictate that the leadership be reviewed after an election (or election defeat).
I also have heard all the backtracking spin put forward by Fine Gael, and I wouldn’t expect any less by them.
I even accept the fact that “Herr” McDowell’s buddy Sam Smyth was being mischeivous while English was on holidays.
All that being said, if a TD doesn’t see the dangers in mentioning ANYTHING about a change of their party’s leadership in the run-up to an election, maybe they should be in a different job.
I think they both knew exactly what they were doing.
I also have heard all the backtracking spin put forward by Fine Gael, and I wouldn’t expect any less by them.
IT doesn’t seem to be spin by Fine Gael, but another symptom of bad media management by the party:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0105/finegael.html
Michael Ring calling the whole situation ’sabotage’
http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/?jp=CWSNCWAUQLEY
Phil Hogan telling the two TDs to get on with their jobs, which would suggest that he thinks English was questioning Kenny’s leadership.
If there’s a party line, these two aren’t towing it either, all they’re doing is enhancing the problem and playing into the hands of their opposites.
I think they both knew exactly what they were doing.
I honestly believe that English tried to help the situation but was naive in thinking mentioning a leadership contest in any terms is a bad idea. The reality is, though, he has been damaged by an article so overtly spun it’s established its own orbit.
All that being said, if a TD doesn’t see the dangers in mentioning ANYTHING about a change of their party’s leadership in the run-up to an election, maybe they should be in a different job.
Agreed, it’s bad media management or just naivity. The fact is that Labour, FF, FG and possibly the Greens will all see leadership battles should they fail to get into Gov. next time around; even the PDs, with their new leader will probably have one too*, their members are just well trained enough to keep shtum about it. Deasy on the other hand was just acting the fool and seemed to be deluded enough to think that 6 or so months before a general election is the ideal time to launch a leadership campaign.
*In fact, the PDs constitution says that the leadership must be reviewed after every election (win or lose)… English just made the mistake of reminding the public that this is the case with FG too.
John Deasy has now increased pressure on himself to bring in a second FG TD in Waterford. If Deasy fails to bring in a second FGaeler he cannot lecture others. Inability to do so will severely dent his already damaged credibility. He is behaving like a spoilt child. He has incensed my FG voters in Waterford. He has less than 6 months to repair damage done.
The key to Adam’s second comment is “If there’s a party line”
It’s Enda “Can He?”’s job to make sure we all know there is one.
I do admit that his priority after taking over from Michael No-one was to reform the party and any FG hack will tell you he has succeeded in this task. I just wonder has he done it in time to lead his flock into the election. This week’s reportage makes me think not.