George Lee resigns from Fine Gael and as a TD

[Pat Mc]

I cannot believe how naive George Lee was on entering politics. Did he really think he could run roughshod over all the others in Fine Geal and get his own was as a newcommer? He sounds like a spoiled child on Joe Duffy if anybody disagrees with him. The Fine Geal members in Dublin South have every right to be angry and disappointed with him and he should be man enough to accept the criticism. Enda Kenny is very silent

[Gael Nua]

The starting point of saving the country is to get FF out.

FG wanted to use Lee's popularity to achieve this first objective. Lee wanted to engage in theoretical party policy discussions that the vast majority of the electorate ignore.

Lee put the cart before the horse.

FG and Lee both could easily have had their cake and eat it, but it was completely mismanaged.

If i led an opposition political party i'd be doing lots of head hunting to get quality people in line for important portfolios and length of service or political experience be damned.

[nuj]

Doesn't Lee's behaviour show that FG may have been right not to promote him?

Lee's ability is incessantly referred to. What is it? He has a history of careerist job-hopping. Is it that?

[orbit]

At no point in listening to him for the last 2 hours did he give me the impression that he thought himself to be some messiah sent down from heaven to save us. He wanted to help his country, chose a path and discovered motive and desire have no place in the Irish political system as he didn't have the time served. So he has left. Instead of being sucked into the malevolent self serving system he walked. Fair balls.

I don't agree. There are better people than him in FG, who have as much motivation and energy (eg. Varadkar) and don't throw a hissy fit, when it looks like they aren't getting their way. Nobody is going to survive in politics, if they aren't able to compromise. I think from the start he looked like a fish out of water, since his specialty has always been mouthing off, and that's one thing you can't do, when you're in a party. In fairness, it's better to realise that after nine months, than five years.

[jmcc]

Enda Kenny is very silent

So he's handling George the same way he handles FF. Kenny is a f*cking disaster for Fine Gael and the sooner they get rid of him, the better.

Regards...jmcc

[Chrisco]

I am confused and angry and totally, totally disillusioned.

Lee came across as an egotistical child on LL. And back to his RTE job he goes, despite all the plaudits for his "brave" decision last year. I'd like to be able to do that kind of principled quitting.

Kenny comes across as an opportunist who offered Lee a job at the last moment last week. Whatever you say about Kenny, I've always assumed he was straight. Last minute job offers are not straight.

FG in general come across as a closed clique unwilling to accept new blood.

And all the while FF are up in the polls and sitting back watching the carnage at FG. They will probably win the next election.

Incredibly, I think I am more depressed about the country than I was going to bed last night. I would not have thought that possible, but here we are.

+1 (though I am a little more sympathetic towards GL, but overall, we're in the same boat.)

[SFInbhear]

This is going to do real damage to Fine Gael, just as they where primed to take office and actually looked like an alternative government to Fianna Fail. Lee should stay in politics, Gilmore should pick up the phone as he lacks a few heavyweights.

[Gimpanzee]

Listening to liveline, its clear this is FG's Saipan. Enda is Mick. Well meaning, honest, but.... FG cannot win the PR battle on this. They need to STFU and just say how unfortunate it is and that they thank George for his contribution and wish him well.

(Wonder did George tell Enda to stick it up his bollocks?)

[nonpartyboy]

We didn't worship his greatness enough. We are not worthy....

You really are coming across as a nob head with all your sneering posts, is it jealousy or something ?

[White Horse]

So he's handling George the same way he handles FF. Kenny is a f*cking disaster for Fine Gael and the sooner they get rid of him, the better.

Regards...jmcc

Yeah, they were much better off in 2002 under Michael Noonan.