Backbench ‘revolt’ does coalition no harm

SO the Fianna Fáil backbenchers were angry and threatening to “revolt” – or so we’re told.

They were furious at suggestions that the Government would cave in to the unions and accept the unpaid leave proposal in lieu of a public service pay cut. They got tough with Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Finance Minister Brian Lenihan at a parliamentary party meeting yesterday and demanded that the Government play hardball with the unions.

But rather the backbenchers being a hindrance to Messrs Cowen and Lenihan, on this occasion they may have been a massive help. Not every backbench revolt is damaging to the leadership. The purpose of the revolt is the key factor in determining whether it genuinely spells trouble or not.