Kenny clings to leadership as front bench rebel

Enda Kenny was clinging to the leadership of Fine Gael tonight after most of his defunct front bench rebelled against him.

As closely divided TDs and Senators rallied last-ditch support, the Kenny camp suffered one of its biggest losses, with Charlie Flanagan declaring he wanted a change of leader.

Despite the late, high-profile blow, Mr Kenny insisted he was confident of winning the secret vote of confidence.

And his supporters offered a show of strength, with 22 of them gathering at Leinster House and claiming more than half the 70-strong parliamentary party will stand by the under-pressure leader.

“I look forward to winning the vote tomorrow and leading the party into another successful election as I have done on three previous occasions,” Mr Kenny said.

“I have been extremely encouraged, not only from the support I have received within the Parliamentary Party, but from members and supporters all over the country.

“This volume of support will ensure that I will carry the motion tomorrow and lead Fine Gael into the next election and, after, to the Taoiseach’s office.”

Challenger Richard Bruton went on the offensive calling for Mr Kenny to resign and avoid tomorrow’s potentially damaging confidence vote.

Mr Bruton claimed he was the man to unite the divided party, convince the electorate and ultimately lead the country.

“I’m not envisaging losing,” Mr Bruton said confidently, before predicting taking the party past 51 seats at the next election.

The party’s 51 TDs, 15 Senators and four MEPs will debate Mr Kenny’s leadership over several hours in Leinster House tomorrow before voting in a secret ballot. Party chairman Padraic McCormack has the casting ballot.

Momentum appeared to be with the anti-Kenny camp after Mr Flanagan, who lost his Dáil seat after a bitter leadership heave in 2001, made a u-turn. He had backed Mr Kenny when a challenge to his authority was first suggested several days ago.

Mr Bruton said: “The leader of a party must be capable of clearly portraying this vision of a different but authentic Ireland, developing it to its full, and winning the faith and confidence of the people for the journey to get there.

“I have the track record and the judgment necessary to deliver that task. I was the only political voice to clearly signal the damage that the bubble economy was creating for our people and our finances.”

He added: “I have not taken the decision to seek to become leader of my party and of the country lightly. I have the resolve and the determination to see it through. It is the right thing to do for our party and for the country at this time of extreme challenge.”

Another blow came after Kieran O’Donnell – promoted to the finance portfolio after Mr Bruton’s sacking on Monday – announced he would vote against the leader.

“The issue really is in terms of the party going forward in to the next general election, I think Richard Bruton is the man to lead us,” Mr O’Donnell said.

Other leading TDs supporting the leadership contest instigated by Mr Bruton are rebels’ spokesman Denis Naughten, Leo Varadkar, Olwyn Enright, Olivia Mitchell, Brian Hayes, Simon Coveney, Billy Timmins, Michael Creed and Fergus O’Dowd.

Kenny’s supporters maintained about 35 TDs, Senators and MEPs would support the leader but those backing a leadership contest were equally confident.

The leader and his supporters twice attempted to garner support within the parliamentary party.

Front bench members, who were warned they face the sack for not supporting Mr Kenny, had been offered senior portfolios if they rowed in behind the leader. A number refused.

Secondly, Kenny campaigners approached backbenchers and promised a number portfolios if they gave Mr Kenny their support.

Olwyn Enright, who said she had been asked and refused, said: “I’m aware of a number of colleagues who have been promised front bench positions for publicly declaring support for Enda.”

Mr Bruton said it would be hypocritical for him to call for a new party leader and then return to the front bench if Mr Kenny remained in place.

Mr Kenny is to put forward the motion of confidence at 11am. The result is not expected before mid-afternoon.