FF’s misery means no autumn election

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar is not planning to cut and run to the country in the autumn, senior Fine Gael strategists have insisted.

The top-level figures told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘Leo does not want to hold an election until the Government has resolved the water charges issue and held a Repeal the Eighth referendum.’

Speculation that Mr Varadkar would call an early election was bluntly dismissed.

A source said: ‘Why would we cut and run just as the economy turns? There are a host of other reasons why Leo does not think that the autumn is appropriate.

‘We are in the middle of Brexit, the North is in chaos, people want stable and focused government.’

One senior figure said: ‘A budget, water and abortion are Leo’s priorities. He does not want to hold an election under the shadow of a forthcoming referendum on abortion or, worse still, of being seen to have avoided a referendum.’

A source close to the Varadkar camp said the Taoiseach also plans to resolve the water charges issue before even considering an election.

Another insider said: ‘The narrative we need to create is that Fianna Fáil caused the water crisis and Fine Gael solved it.

‘Fianna Fáil is in a heap on water. Let’s give everyone the opportunity to have a good look.’

Fine Gael’s positioning is also informed by the woes of their confidence and supply partners.

One senior figure said: ‘Fianna Fáil are treading water at the moment, they don’t know where to go or what to do.

‘Leo’s instincts are to prolong their misery so as to be facing into a disunited and divided Fianna Fáil.

‘The fight has gone out of them and Leo is more than happy to let that process evolve.’