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Mary Harney and the salvation of the PDs
Read more about: Coalition, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Government, Green Party, Health, Irish Election, Irish Election 2007, Irish Politics, Labour Party, Progressive Democrats 
Interesting how some are beginning to warm to Mary Harney just as she leaves the scene. Yet some retain their visceral loathing for her and the PDs. Yet why?
The Progressive Democrats are hardly the worlds most right-wing party. Far from it. They share the same group in the European Parliament (the ALDE) as that other hotbed of the radical right…er… the UK’s Liberal Democrats. There is a rather middle class aspect to them. And why not? Yet in conversation with various people one would assume they were crypto-fascists. Indeed, for a party with about 3 to 4% of the popular vote, and with the real prospect of losing much of their Dáil representation at the upcoming Election one would instead think they were close to achieving state power.
But in a way I always feel that’s typical of Irish political debate and a lack of knowledge, or innocence if you will, regarding political definitions.
And let’s look at them in terms of their record in government. Where are the cuts in social spending? Interestingly that’s not what Fine Gael or Labour are accusing the government of, it’s ‘waste’ and ‘mismanagement’. The PD tone with regard to the Peace Process and Sinn Féin in particular has been harsh on occasions, but to my mind having listened to many of the Dáil debates, less sustained than that of Enda Kenny and Fine Gael in general. They have a penchant for believing in ‘free market’ solutions, but that hardly places them on the same level as Pinochet. And underneath it all they’re reasonably sensible, whatever some of their more excited fans or detractors would have us believe. Indeed I’d say McDowell broadly handled the recent controversy over the courts quashing certain laws that resulted in the release of sex offenders with considerable skill and had others not jumped that particular populist bandwagon a better solution could have been achieved earlier.
It’s arguable that the ‘function’ of the PDs has been one entirely counterintuitive to the nature of their foundation. That is that they ultimately became a vehicle by which a small section of the middle class could – to a greater or lesser extent – tolerate Fianna Fáil in government. This section might be thought of as a typically Fine Gael voters, but in fact would perhaps find the tendency towards pragmatism and stability of FF (during the late 1990s) somewhat more appealing. In other words better to exercise some degree of restraint and control on those feckless centrists of Fianna Fáil than have to put up with the centre-rightists of FG locked in uncomfortable embrace with the centre-leftists of Labour. I’m not suggesting that this was a conscious function, but it does appear to be one significant aspect of the logic of PD actions. And indeed it makes sense. The PDs were never going to be simple outriders for Fine Gael, the right stabiliser of an FG/Lab coalition. It’s not just being radical or redundant, it’s also about power and in a sense the PDs have always understood (again I’m presuming unconsciously) the nature of hegemony as conceived of by Gramsci. Hold state power and you can shift the culture – a lesson that Labour has forgotten (after a brief period in the early 1990s) and the Greens appear indifferent to. And this is, to my mind, significant. The culture of the PDs, from what I see of members and former members, was more cerebral than FF or FG (notwithstanding certain TDs and the intrepid lunacy of some who left for parts libertarian), and no doubt the thought that they were bringing intellectual fibre to FF was perhaps also part of the attraction of FF/PD coalition.
Now everything I’m saying should probably trouble Progressive Democrat supporters or members, because to my mind they have become a slightly right wing party in terms of the rhetoric they use, but one which actually is broadly centre right, and often more centre than right. Of course much of the disdain is generated not by Mary Harney so much as Michael McDowell. And it has to be admitted the man has a remarkable capacity for snappy soundbites that sound on first hearing much more confrontational than they really are.
But to be honest I quite like the Progressive Democrats, even if I disagree with much of their policy (indeed in a way that’s quite similar to how I feel about the Socialist Party) and certain aspects of the rhetoric McDowell has used with regard to the Peace Process. They’ve been broadly secular in a sensible way. They’ve talked right but acted centrist, they’ve raised some interesting issues, yes even McDowell’s comments about ‘equality’ and most of all they shook up Irish politics at a time when it needed that, and have done so ever since. In any case at least they think about politics and although ideology can be as disastrous as pragmatism it has it’s place – particularly when it’s restricted to 3 to 4% of the popular vote!
And so now, what’s next? Michael McDowell? Perhaps his pre-emptive strike earlier in the year may have scuppered his chances for gaining the leadership. Liz O’Donnell, perhaps, if she has the ambition to go with the image. The next week will reveal all.
But I’m beginning to think Mary Harney is a bit of a political genius. Here we are eight months or so away from an election. She has left without excessive rancour. She leaves at a time when particular news stories about the Health sector have receded somewhat after a long hot Summer, consequently her personal popularity is slightly on the up. The very act of leaving has to be good for the PDs in terms of raising their profile in this crucial run-up to the election. Within a couple of weeks they will have a new leader. If the contest is fought cleverly and without bitterness and if those within the Dáil cadre pull together their chances for improving their chances during the Election (previously seen as miserable) must be better. Indeed one wonders how either Liz O’Donnell (Who I was staggered today to discover is now in her 50s) or McDowell might do at prising away some of the FG vote. I suspect it will be rather better than previously thought. And that means that the chances for the return of one B. Ahern as our illustrious leader might just be a little better than previously considered, and one way or another Harney manages to guarantee the survival of what has to be one of the most successful small parties in the history of the Republic.
It could all go horribly wrong. The party could descend into the internecine warfare that ensued after the departure of Pat Cox in the 1990s. Any leader might find it impossible to hold the various parts of the party together. But…we’ll see.
And finally, compare and contrast with Kenny and Rabbitte. There’s a greyness about them that Terry Prone (okay perhaps not the greatest oracle of political wisdom – but whose services in the image making field almost all parties have availed of at one time or another) noted on Pat Kenny’s show yesterday morning. Even those, like myself who should at least slightly warm to them on certain policy grounds, finds it difficult to have any great interest in them. I don’t mean this in an insulting way because both are sincere individuals. But the idea that they’re part of a galaxy of talent merely waiting to be unleashed upon the Irish political scene? I’m not convinced. Perhaps it’s the libertarian side of my political thinking, but on some level I find the idea of that fiery contrarian McDowell as Tanaiste, or a renewed PDs in government led by Liz O’Donnell vastly more appealing.
Perhaps I’m just hoping another five years will hasten the inevitable proletarian revolution, but more likely it’s just the possibility of living in interesting times…
It’ll certainly be interesting alright. All of the controversies around McDowell so far have happened when he had someone to answer to in the party. It’ll be politically stimulating to see what he’s like without anyone to tell him to stop yelling.
(Oh, why isn’t this on CedarLounge, by the way?)
great piece
Cheers guys. I have an unwritten rule (well up until now that is) that I don’t post within 24 hours of someone else. I’ll transfer it over later.
In fairness, I think the wingnut label is reserved more for the McDowell wing of the party than it is for the party as a whole.
Very interesting article, thanks for posting.
“Interesting how some are beginning to warm to Mary Harney just as she leaves the scene.”
Who are these “some”?
“The Progressive Democrats are hardly the worlds most right-wing party.”
No, but they would have a good chance at being Ireland’s most right-wing.
“Yet in conversation with various people one would assume they were crypto-fascists”
This image mostly comes from Michael McDowell, the apparent leader in waiting. Both from his rhetoric and his law making. It’s not just rhetoric.
“But in a way I always feel that’s typical of Irish political debate and a lack of knowledge, or innocence if you will, regarding political definitions”
That’s what I was just thinking of this post, lacking in context other then positive context, making it spin, propaganda, or whatever you want to call it.
“And let’s look at them in terms of their record in government. Where are the cuts in social spending? Interestingly that’s not what Fine Gael or Labour are accusing the government of, it’s ‘waste’ and ‘mismanagement’. The PD tone with regard to the Peace Process and Sinn Féin in particular has been harsh on occasions, but to my mind having listened to many of the Dáil debates, less sustained than that of Enda Kenny and Fine Gael in general.”
Indeed, McDowell has to be commended in coming out and saying IRA criminality has ended, when the intelligence presented to him said so. Many in Fine Gael or Labour, or even FF, would have taken an emotional approach.
“And underneath it all they’re reasonably sensible, whatever some of their more excited fans or detractors would have us believe.”
Or as the matter of the casinos/poker houses showed, McDowell can be – at least sometimes – as, err… flip-floppy as the rest.
“But to be honest I quite like the Progressive Democrats”
Thanks, we would have never knowen.
I think it’s the journalistic elites that hate him so much, and the political-left and those in the centrist parties who are in reality closet lefties. The vitriol towards him in much of the press (especially the non-Sun tabloids) e.g. mad mullah McDowell etc. is just incredibly OTT imho. I think he is more in touch with the silent-majority on certain issues, especially immigration. The dogooder lefties can’t stand a politician who calls a spade a spade instead of tip-toeing around controversial issues like immigration. I appreciate his no-nonsense stance. He was in touch with public-opinion in the Citizenship-Referendum, for which the press has never forgiven him. It was a blow for their ego that they lost. Now they want revenge.
Cian asked who exactly is warming to Mary Harney. Just look at the media for your answer. Over the past few months many of the articles on Harney have focused on the negative points of the health system.
Since she announced her resignation, the articles concerning her legacy and abilities have been glowing.
And oh, “dogooder lefties” – hilarious!
“Cian asked who exactly is warming to Mary Harney. Just look at the media for your answer. Over the past few months many of the articles on Harney have focused on the negative points of the health system.
Since she announced her resignation, the articles concerning her legacy and abilities have been glowing.”
I think the reason for this can be found in the old song:
“Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you lost till it’s gone”.
No, but they would have a good chance at being Ireland’s most right-wing.
Depends on how you look at it on social issues or economy. Compared to the rest of europe they are economically right (compared to the rest of Europe the greens are economically right) Compared to America they are possibly left of the Democrats. AS for social issues compared to the FF and FG they are very much left.
So does not make them bad at all. Compare them to the right in Europe.
Both from his rhetoric and his law making. It’s not just rhetoric. Again compared to what Despite what people think Ireland still has one of the most liberal immegrant laws in Europe. hardly makes the man a facists now does it.
I think in many ways the problem with McDowell is based on more then just his policy. It is based on his arrogance, his upbringing (If he was a farmer from Leitrim he would be liked more), and the fact that people want a W Bush figure to hate and he is it for now.
Well blogged, Cedar Lounge.
A balanced overview of a highly competent group of intelligent individuals.
In terms of performance in office, they leave their confreres, in FF, stranded in their wellies in the starting gate.
I try & recall anything of worth that Bertie has achieved. He claims the Minimum Wage as a watershed in Irish politics – yet does anyone earn the MW? Certainly none in the bloated civil service or any of his relations in the taxi business or his bestest mates in the trade unions.
Martin Cullen beggars description, whilst Micheal Martin left a complete mess behind his years mismanaging Health, as he evangelised about the dangers of smoking.
What a way to be remembered.
But the real legacy of the PDs is a record of hard work; committment & competence.
If Mary Harney had been Taoiseach since 2002, they would be a shoo-in in 2007.
I try & recall anything of worth that Bertie has achieved.
Good friday agreement springs to mind
I was always led to beleive that it was Albert Reynolds who master-minded the Good Friday Agreement.
Or was that just another FF spin?
I was referring to Bertie’s achievements exclusively pertaining to the Republic of Ireland, its ecomony; the daily problems of managing this country and looking after the requirements of the people who live here.
Not just local issues in his Drumcondra constituency; football or calming the ruffled feathers of Messrs. Begg; O’Connor & Halpenny etc. in the trade union movement.
One, I suppose, might easily regard Bertie’s cobbling together of a consensus on the failed European Constitution (as cobbled together by Valey Gisgard d’Estaing) as an acheivement.
Of sorts.
But look what happened to IT.
Like the well-meaning Good Friday Agreement, both are still in Limbo, unresolved.
Why?
“So does not make them bad at all. Compare them to the right in Europe.”
When I say they have a good chance at being Ireland’s most right-wing, I would be comparing them to Irish parties. Their economic polices are very much so liberal (ie ‘right-wing’).
“AS for social issues compared to the FF and FG they are very much left”
In reality left and right are economic terms. The ‘political compass’ measurement is far more accurate the historic meaning of left and right. The multi-axis scale is economic (left or right) and social (authoritarian or libertarian). A party can be ‘right’ on economics at the same time being libertarian on the social scale. (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_compass )
While their popular image is authoritarian, it’s hard fix the PDs on social axis. They might be one of the most open parties when it comes to gay rights and other personal freedoms, but then they implement authoritarian-like powers for the police and McDowell has a history of deporting people back to less then safe countries. Deportations starting in mid-night police raids along with deporting people who actually have meaningful ties with Ireland doesn’t improve his authoritarian image.
McDowell, who has for some time to an extent being the public face of the party, says he believes little censorship, but on the other side he has major problems with the media if they step out of line as such, and he is (partly at the request of FF TDs) pushing the privacy bill which Roy Greenslade, Media Guardian’s resident blogger, says is a “it is a step too far, especially in a country where there have been a succession of tribunals in recent years exposing politicians and businessmen for indulging in blatantly corrupt practices. This is a bad day for press freedom in Ireland, Britain and Europe”.
“Again compared to what Despite what people think Ireland still has one of the most liberal immegrant laws in Europe. hardly makes the man a facists now does it.”
Depends on how you look at it. An open immigration policy could be more of an economic liberal policy, then a social liberal policy. The reasoning for our immigration policies at least appear to be economic, not social.
I guess, Cian G, like a lot of smaller parties one tends to see the cracks within them more clearly than say with FF and FG because they’re more of a hot house. I think particularly for a centre right party with such an open agenda it’s easier for there to be more fractious differences- as you say they’re both socially liberal (attractive quality) and yet if an individual – say for argument their potential next leader – is prone to rather authoritarian statements that can carry an awful lot of weight. But in a European context they’re really not that far along the scale. They remind me a lot of the German Free Democrats, who have always been perceived as being a centre party as against the SDP and Christian Democrats. I also agree with you that on certain issues the economic imperatives override the social ones, but on the other hand they might well argue they go hand in hand as with immigration. Just to make it clear I’m not a member or supporter of the party, I’m of the left, but I think in some respects if this is the sort of right we have here we’re actually quite fortunate. I can think of much more noxious alternatives.