Fine Gael has committed its initial blunder in the post-Leo Varadkar phase by overlooking a contest for determining his successor as the party leader. The quick consolidation around Simon Harris does bring memories of Fianna Fáil’s decision to appoint Brian Cowen as Bertie Ahern’s successor in 2008. Similar to Cowen acceding to the position of taoiseach not long after assuming the party helm, it’s highly likely that Harris will tread the same path. The elected representatives of a party continue the tradition of fast-tracking a single superior candidate, bypassing comprehensive debates on the party’s polices and long-term vision.
A leadership contest would potentially favour Harris. Despite his over ten-year stint in the public eye, much about his global perspective remains clouded. It was noteworthy that the endorsements from Fine Gael TDs or Senators for Harris were solely based on his character traits – dedication, drive, work ethic, excellent communication – with no mention of his policy stance or the broader changes his leadership could lead to.
While Harris’s notable advocacy for society’s disadvantaged and his superb communication skills cannot be discounted, his capabilities are yet to be tested in various areas. On monumental issues paramount for a taoiseach like the economy and Northern Ireland, his exposure is limited, and his views remain largely undisclosed. His performance at the relatively less demanding Department of Higher Education has been commendable, but his stint as the Health Minister showed a varying degree of successes and failures, echoing the experience of many predecessors. His short spell as a justice minister substitute barely allowed him to document any policy victories.
The appointment of a new leader could be a boon for Fine Gael in the short run, drawing a new path for tackling future electoral hurdles, such as the approaching local and European elections in June. However, the party would be misguided if they viewed a leadership change as the magic fix to all its issues. Any party completing its 13th year in power would reflect wear and tear, and Fine Gael is no exception. The incoming leader’s primary task would be to rejuvenate the party.
And,is the experience of a rugby fan not truly treasured in a pint at the Aviva, a dinner at Roly’s and the Dart ride homewards?
Harris’s dynamism is certain to make an impact, however, there is a more fundamental question at hand. The query is regarding Fine Gael’s position under his direction. Known throughout his career as a centrist, fiscally prudent Christian Democrat, Varadkar managed to solidify that reputation during his tenure as Taoiseach. Yet, he also responded to societal shifts and his personal convictions by nudging Fine Gael into adopting more liberal social stances, as compared to many of his antecedents. The critical issue is whether the party will maintain this trajectory or disavow the path of Varadkar in favour of social democratic values, or to more explicitly stake out a centrist stance that some of its TDs believe has been abandoned. These are crucial issues that will mould Fine Gael’s destiny, and may ultimately dictate the direction of the upcoming general election.