Snubbing FG’s women was a bad start, Leo

IN the 10 days since he was elected Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar has learned very quickly that there is no such thing as a honeymoon in politics.

He has had good moments and bad. He showed backbone when jousting in the Dáil with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin over the appointment of former attorney general Máire Whelan as a judge. On his first trip to Europe, he is said to have performed well, given that he has committed himself to a more centrist form of government than seems to be becoming the new normal on the continent. In the UK, too, he showed confidence meeting Theresa May, even if his reference to Love, Actually was a little cringe-making.

At home, though, he managed to alienate half the population by again ignoring many eligible women when appointing his junior ministers, a group that already looks as grey and tired as the legacy Cabinet he mostly reappointed with the most minor of shuffles. It would have been a brave signal of intent if he had found a job for Coveney supporter Kate O’Connell, but he did not, instead rewarding those who were loyal during the leadership contest.

We are not saying women should be promoted simply because they are women, but it is hard to see how there are none as talented as some of the male nonentities who found themselves thus elevated. How are women expected to make an impact at Cabinet level when they are denied the path to such appointment in the junior ranks? How can they compete when the criterion for reward seems to be having a seat in an important constituency or being Leo’s friend?

So, a first few days not exactly distinguished by the sort of fresh thinking we might have expected. Mr Varadkar needs to up his game.