LEO VARADKAR

MINISTER FOR SOCIAL PROTECTION PROS

Leo is the darling of the liberal elite and the Leinster House bubble. Well educated and funny, he came out as gay during the marriage equality referendum. His supporters say his election would give Ireland, particularly metropolitan Ireland, a feelgood factor. He’s a superb media performer and his supporters believe he could communicate with the public with a sure-footedness not seen since Bertie. At 38, he relates well to younger TDs and, as taoiseach, could do so with younger citizens.

CONS

Look closer and the similarities with Brian Cowen are striking. Like Cowen he is the darling of his party’s backbenches and the media have casually accepted that he would be an ideal taoiseach. Cowen had soaring intelligence that allowed him to be ill-disciplined as a minister. He spent too much time in the pub and Varadkar, though a committed socialiser, spends too much time in radio and TV studios. The energy he has put into undermining his leader won’t encourage loyalty if he succeeds. During his years as a minister, he has had little impact on the Departments of Transport, Health or Social Protection. Like Cowen, I feel he is ill-prepared for the unrelenting criticism he would face as taoiseach. SUITABILITY 5/10 FOR TAOISEACH