Big bang theory says election in a year
SUPPORT is growing within the leadership of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil for a summer election next year, which would see Independent TDs ousted as a viable force.
The strategy is particularly popular in Fine Gael where one TD said: ‘Leo’s men are roaming the corridors saying a “big bang” where local, European, Presidential and national elections will be held together next June is the current plan.’ Two of the strong advocates of the ‘big bang’ theory are influential party whip Joe McHugh and Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy.
A source said: ‘We will be selling this on a number of issues, pragmatism and saving the taxpayer money but the real plan is to take out the Independents and small parties. They won’t be able to fight four campaigns, for the council, the Presidency, Europe and the Dáil.’
Significantly, support for the plan is growing within Fianna Fáil where senior sources said: ‘Realistically, the short term is not good for us, we cannot go during abortion or the Budget and if we go during Brexit Leo will wrap the green flag around him and we will be annihilated.’
A Fine Gael figure said: ‘For us the main benefit is that we take out the Independent Alliance and all the dross. This will represent the return to two-and-a-half party politics with Sinn Féin playing the role of the half pint.’