Fine Gael: Are They Out of Touch?

[hiding behind a poster]

Listening to Fine Gael members, TD’s and senior party members in the fall-out from the George Lee resignation has me convinced that, despite any constituency clinics they may hold, they are out of touch with a significant degree of public mood and perception.

Regardless of whether or not Lee was right to resign, the fact is that, in doing so, he has touched and exposed the nerve of people of all Party persuasion who are in despair of our current national state and the inability of the “Irish political system” to correct it. He referred to the unemployment, banks and emigration crises and said that he wanted to see these addressed now, not to be allowed drift further and to create more hardship.

The Liveline text poll yesterday produced a large response, apparently, with over 80% of those taking part agreeing with Lee’s decision. A fairly clear-cut result, I would have thought and when considered in light of his bye-election victory, an obvious endorsement of his demands for action and change.

This message is obviously lost on Enda Kenny and his party.

Indeed, FG and many political pundits have adopted a mantra that suggests that the “Irish political system” (substitute the phrase “Irish politics”, if you wish) is a tough onerous environment where rural TDs work exceptionally long hours helping constituents through their entitlements, attend funerals etc. and anyone who doesn’t serve a suitable apprenticeship in such essential duties does not deserve to be a TD. Without this apprenticeship and initiation, people are not ready to take on and fix our national woes. Without the “Irish political system”, the problems cannot be fixed.

Enda Kenny further said that an opposition cannot achieve anything. A Party must be elected to government to do so. But he and his colleagues are now going to concentrate on developing policies and strategies to tackle health, education, fiscal and myriad other issues ‘for when we are elected to government’. More of what they are “going” to do, nothing about what they have done to prepare for government at any time during his tenure; nothing about the ignored opportunities to legitimately pressurise the government – individually or collectively. If you think about it, the only change Fine Gael have brought about has been the resignation of John O’Donoghue and in that they trotted along behind Eamon Gilmore.

As others have already pointed out, the opposition have to hound, harass and where necessary, provoke the government every time they act outside what might be considered the best interests of the electorate. They need to elicit the support of public perception, to the point of incitement even, through sustained political opportunism. Cancel pairing arrangements. Milk every ounce of publicity available. And, most importantly, WANT FF and the Greens out.

Anyone else notice how often that post contradicts itself?

[consultant]

The message is not lost on FG! We are just getting the same spin we've gotten for years and years but from a different rectum this time!

Slow on the uptake then, aren't you? Probably explains why you have languished in opposition for so long - though the term 'opposition' indicates an option you have not provided. Is your party afraid of responsibility?

[consultant]

Anyone else notice how often that post contradicts itself?

Please elaborate. I would genuinely appreciate your enlightenment.