Harris warns of ‘defeatist’ attitude within Fine Gael’s ranks
SIMON HARRIS: Complained about leaks to the media HEALTH Minister Simon Harris warned his colleagues of a “defeatist” attitude growing within Fine Gael as the next general election fast approaches.
Speaking at a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting, Mr Harris said TDs and senators should not be “deflated” by the return of Fianna Fail’s “swagger” and “arrogance”.
The minister also warned colleagues against negativity and infighting when they should be putting on a show of unity ahead of the next election.
“Simon said the Budget and Brexit had been very good for the Government and said members should focus on the Government’s achievements rather than be distracted by negativity from the opposition and in the media,” a Fine Gael source said.
Mr Harris is also understood to have complained about Cabinet and parliamentary party leaks to the media at the meeting.
Another source said it was the first time there had been a rallying of the troops at a parliamentary party meeting since Leo Varadkar was elected as leader of Fine Gael.
“When Enda was there he would be trying to motivate the members every week, but this was the first time we had anything like this since Leo took over,” the source said.
Fine Gael senator Catherine Noone is understood to have told the meeting that the party should hold a “positivity summit”, after which another member is believed to have muttered “we just had a think-in”.
Mayo-based senator Michelle Mulherin told the meeting there should be more collegiality among party members.
There is increasing concern within the party that voters have grown tired of Fine Gael in government and could punish its candidates when the election is called.
Senior Fine Gael figures believe the party should capitalise on a Brexit deal being negotiated by the Taoiseach and go to the polls as soon as an agreement is reached, which could see a general election held in November.
Election preparations have been ramped up in Fine Gael in recent days and the party is said to be firmly in campaign mode.
Mr Varadkar road-tested his election messaging at a Fine Gael president’s dinner in Dublin last weekend in which he focused his political attacks on Fianna Fail’s frontbench and emphasised Fine Gael’s team.
The Taoiseach said Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin does not have the team to tackle the challenges posed by Brexit and managing the economy.
“If we had a Fianna Fail-led government now and they were involved in Brexit negotiations now, who could they send who could match Simon Coveney or Helen McEntee?” he said.
“When it comes to managing the economy and the public finances, dealing with really difficult industrial relations issues with politeness, competence and firmness — who do they have as good as Paschal Donohoe?”
Mr Varadkar said Fine Gael members are facing the “fight” of their lives to lead the next government, adding that they must change their perspective of being underdogs going into election campaigns.
“Fine Gael isn’t used to being in this position, and I think it’s a little disconcerting for some people. We almost prefer being the underdog. So we have to change our perspective and our ambitions,” he said.
Last week, Mr Martin insisted Fianna Fail would not be seeking an election before Christmas as he believed facilitating the Budget included voting for the legislation necessary to implement the measures which will be passed in December.
“I think first of all one of the difficulties for the Brexit situation has been electoral speculation more in Britain than in Ireland,” he told RTE Radio One.
“I have said prior to this that there wouldn’t be an election prior to Christmas.”