Leo’s looking fighting fit and ready to take office
LEO Varadkar is back where he likes it – in the headlines again after his fire and brimstone Fine Gaelism at the weekend’s Ard Fheis.
Well, apart from the Leo the Leak headlines of last year – but after the DPP directed there was no case to answer following the Garda investigation that’s all firmly in the past now.
And now the Tanaiste is happily preparing to become Taoiseach again next month.
Of course Leo was playing to a home crowd, but they were distinctively roused and rowdy for Fine Gaelers.
Even more so than the Shinners, who came out all guns blazing at their own bash in the RDS a couple of weeks ago. And they were definitely a happier bunch than Fianna Fail who were looking all too pale and stale at their shindig last month.
So let there be no doubt, Leo’s back and he means business.
Varadkar’s Saturday Night Live was a return to classic Fine Gael law and order hardline principles at the party’s annual
as Leo thundered: “We are sending a message to the criminal underworld.
“We will do whatever is necessary to protect our homes and our communities... and we will take the fight to you head on.”
I doubt the Kinahans are bricking it, but it’d music to the ears of Leo’s target market. He took time to heap some bromantic praise on Micheal as he prepared to succeed him.
Leo gushed: “So, let’s acknowledge tonight that our Taoiseach Micheal Martin has been a good one.
“Through difficult circumstances, including the later stages of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, he has been a voice for decency, kindness and for common sense. We thank him.”
The lads are getting on well ahead of the last days of Micheal’s reign before he has to hand over the crown to Leo, like some political Miss World.
This political hack found himself standing beside Leo in the wings of the
Athlone International Arena on Saturday evening before he ran – literally – onto the stage for his sermon to the party faithful.
He was relaxed, chatting about the Irish rugby team for a bit, but the 43-year-old is fit, there’s no doubt about it, he could hold his own in a rugby lineout.
I reckon the renowned gym bunny is putting in extra hours before the Taoiconference, seach changeover. He obviously wants to look his best when he gets out meeting the world’s sharpest young leaders again come Christmas and 2023.
By all accounts, he’s full-on with the wellness vibe too.
Leo has been seen in the hip “food and wellness space” Chestnut Bazaar in his new chic Dublin 8 neighbourhood where he now lives.
It’s one of the coolest spots in Europe, according to Time Out. Chestnut Bazaar has pizza trucks, coffee huts and fireside crate seating and outdoor saunas.
And all the while Micheal is grand about the switch it seems.
With Claire Byrne the other day and she asked him basically was he not a bit browned off with having to leave midterm, due to the whole “rotating Taoiseach” arrangement.
Going into pure Zen-micheal mode, he said: “I’m philosophical about these things.”
The Fianna Fail chief will have plenty more time for philosophy when he hands over the Taoiseach’s crown to Leo on December 17.