LION’S SHARE FOR LEO
Varadkar leads Fine Gael battle over rival Coveney
LEO Varadkar has taken the lion’s share of votes to become the next Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach. The Social Protection Minister now has 21 TDS, nine senators and one MEP pledging their support. Deputy Pat Deering said yesterday: “We believe Leo Varadkar is the man who will bring us, as a party and a country, into the future.” Leadership rival Housing Minister Simon Coveney is playing catch-up with just seven TDS, eight senators and one MEP backing him.
LEO Varadkar has taken an early lead over Simon Coveney in the race to succeed Enda Kenny as the new Fine Gael leader and Ireland’s next Taoiseach. Less than 24 hours after Mr Kenny announced he was stepping down party members have been rushing out to pledge their allegiances. Rough tallies were last night putting Mr Varadkar on 29% of the vote compared to 17% for the Housing Minister. But Mr Coveney was in bullish mood when he said he was “fighting for the soul of the party” and dismissed the idea the public were looking for a Taoiseach with the “X factor”. He added: “That depends on what you describe as the X factor. For me it’s about being honest, strong, delivering. “I don’t think a family living in a hotel room this evening is looking for a Taoiseach with X factor. “They are looking for a Taoiseach who’ll solve their problems.” Mr Coveney was the first to announce his intention to enter the race with a press conference at Fine Gael HQ yesterday morning. But it looks like he is already playing catch-up with just seven TDS, eight senators and one MEP plumping for the Cork man so far. That’s in stark contrast to Mr Varadkar who has seen 21 TDS, nine senators and one MEP pledge their support. Mr Coveney was flanked by a team of supporters including Health Minister Simon Harris and Dublin Bay South TD Kate O’connell – both considered among the party’s biggest rising stars. He said the contest was going to be too close to call, but put forward a vision for an open inclusive party focusing as much on social wellbeing as the economy. The 44-year-old added: “I think the party is going to go through a very positive experience now of having a debate in the national spotlight. “We will conduct ourselves as Fine Gael should do, professionally and positively. “I want to lead a party and lead a country that can heal many of the divisions that have opened up over the last decade or so.” Mr Harris said: “Politics and society have become very fractured and Simon wants to reunite communities and reunite this country.” But a strong start for Mr Coveney was quickly soured by the news Education Minister Richard Bruton had ruled himself out of the race and was part of Team Varadkar. Mr Bruton holds considerable sway among the grassroots Fine Gael party and with rank and file members holding a quarter of the vote his support could prove crucial. Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald has also said she will not be joining the battle, leaving it a two-horse race. Mr Varadkar made no announcement on his intentions yesterday but is expected to launch his campaign tomorrow. However, there was no shortage of TDS and senators eager to state the case of the 38-year-old from Castleknock, West Dublin, to become the next Taoiseach. Led by Carlow-kilkenny TD Pat Deering, a group of around a dozen TDS declared their support for the Social Protection Minister. He said: “We believe Leo Varadkar is the man who will bring us, as a party and a country, into the future. A man for the 21st century. A man who will reenergise, reinvigorate our party.” Among the assembled crew were several representatives who had agitated for a change of leadership under Mr Kenny, including Alan Farrell, Noel Rock and Deering himself. But they denied they had being doing Mr Varadkar’s dirty work. Mr Deering added: “Absolutely not. We have looked to have a discussion about where the party is going in the last while.” Meath East TD Helen
Mcentee said Mr Varadkar would be a “modern progressive” leader. Both camps have denied making promises to members in return for support, but that will only become clear when the next Taoiseach unveils his Cabinet. Finance Minister Michael Noonan has stood down, with Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe – believed to be a Varadkar supporter – the favourite to take over. Other ministries likely to become vacant include justice and one or both of the candidates’ departments. The pair are holding their cards close to their chest on the future Cabinet, although Mr Coveney yesterday declined to guarantee Mr Varadkar a spot in his. The Fine Gael leadership is decided by an electoral college that gives the parliamentary party, made up of TDS, senators and MEPS, 65% of the vote. Rank and file members have 25% and councillors 10%.