Enda bemoans ‘soap opera politics’
ENDA Kenny has warned about the dangerous rise of ‘soap opera’ politics.
In The Hague yesterday afternoon for Brexit talks, the Taoiseach said people are consumed by ‘trash’ and ‘trivia’.
He told an audience of politicians and delegates: ‘The rise of populist fringe political movements is the biggest challenge facing Europe today. It cannot be dismissed by the political centre as a passing phase that will diminish with better economic statistics.
‘I believe the idea of what is called “the radical centre” has found its time. And because it has, we must fight the diminution of politics to its being a kind of public amusement or entertainment or soap opera. We live in a world where trash, trivia and frivolousness are gripping people, fascinating them more and more.’
Mr Kenny was in the Dutch city for a summit with the Holland’s prime minister Mark Rutte and the premier of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen; both leaders of countries which will be most affected by Britain’s exit from the EU, along with Ireland.
The Taoiseach denied the three countries had formed a ‘breakaway’ alliance but said he had used his visit to The Hague to warn that Ireland looks set to be the most exposed countries to Brexit ‘economically, politically and socially.’ He reiterated our commitment to the EU and said that to leave would be ‘catastrophic’.
He emphasised that the three countries share common problems, given the level of trade between them and the UK. He said: ‘I came to The Hague to meet Prime Minister Rasmussen and Prime Minister Rutte because we have similar interests of a very common nature and we wanted those reflected in the ground rules being set out by the European Council, not to be seen as some sort of breakaway group. We are part of the 27.’ When asked if it was the birth of an alliance of sorts, he said: ‘We’re not talking about the birth of a new subsidiary of the European Council. These are three countries that have very important parts to play in the European Council.’
Earlier, he suggested that a softer Brexit may be the result of the latest UK elections.
He said: ‘In respect of the calling of the British election, I can understand, as a politician, why the prime minister would decide to seek a mandate from the electorates of the UK to strengthen her position as the British prime minister in entering into negotiations for the Brexit exit and beyond of the European Union. Obviously, it’s going to cause quite a deal of angst, I would think. Particularly in Scotland, and there will be a different political impetus from Northern Ireland out of this. But be that as it may, it’s a matter for the electorates of the UK.’