We neither need nor want an early election

THERE was a sense that our politicians shuffling off on their summer holidays had an air of phoney calm about themselves. Now that we face the prospect of an early and unwanted general election, we can understand why that was. It is clear that there is a strong view within the Fine Gael party that it could benefit from an early election by significant parliamentary seat gains.

The Taoiseach still has his shiny bright and new image about him; howling errors he has made, not least on trips abroad, appear to count for nothing with the public beyond the ‘chatterati’. Leo Varadkar’s party has been significantly ahead of its rivals in Fianna Fáil for the greater part of a year.

That suggests Fine Gael would gain in any early election. Up to now the problem has been to justify calling such an election as the current strange hybrid minority Coalition limps along.

Citing upcoming Brexit deadlines, Mr Varadkar can justify demanding a two-year extension of the current arrangement whereby Fianna Fáil keeps his Government in office. The Taoiseach and his ministers can call on the need for stability at a crucial time for Ireland, and paint Fianna Fáil into the ‘naughty corner’ if it fails to agree this extension.

At first glance it is an attractive prospect. But let’s not forget that it is also a version of events which, most of all, suits Fine Gael interests.

Fianna Fáil, which has made sacrifices to provide stable government for the last two years, is entitled to a good hearing on its side of the argument. But both parties must remember we don’t need an election, and it’s time for grown-ups to put country before party.