Critics not brave enough to act

THE mob got as far as the door, but were afraid to call for a head.

The consensus in Fianna Fáil before yesterday’s parliamentary party meeting was that Taoiseach Brian Cowen had been gently persuaded to step down before the election. However, once the party gathered together, none of the TDs, senators or, most critically, ministers who accepted Mr Cowen had to go was brave enough to act.

Mr Cowen had prepared himself for the fight, but nobody was willing to step out of the crowd and take him on.