Leo Varadkar will lead Fine Gael into next election, say TDs

Many believe Mr Varadkar is determined to lead Fine Gael into the next election, although some think a change in leadership is needed to give the party a 'fresh lift'. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has privately told ministers and TDs that he has “unfinished business” with Fine Gael in terms of electoral gain and will lead the party into the next election.

It comes amid intense speculation around Leinster House in recent weeks over whether Mr Varadkar will remain on as leader of Fine Gael after the next election.

Poor polling and a string of resignations by TDs has shone a spotlight on the party's electoral fortunes and on Mr Varadkar’s leadership.

Seeking the opinion of more than 20 members of the parliamentary party, the Irish Examiner found widespread support for the Taoiseach.

Many believe Mr Varadkar is determined to lead Fine Gael into the next election, although some think a change in leadership is needed to give the party a “fresh lift”.

Most TDs and senators who spoke to the Irish Examiner believe that Mr Varadkar's next move will be decided by the outcome of the general election — expected to be held either in the autumn next year or early 2025.

There is currently no real appetite within the party for a heave and one senior figure said the recent spate of resignations — seven sitting TDs have indicated they will not run again — could be the reason.

"You've senior guys who are largely checked out. They have no real skin in the game, so they won't start a heave."

However one senior TD said the local election results "will really make a difference to how people look at where this party is going to end up"

Those the Irish Examiner spoke to largely see Higher Education Minister Simon Harris as the next leader of the party.

One senator said they felt Mr Varadkar would lead the party into the next election but for the future, there was “only one show in town.”

There’ll be a leadership contest alright but Simon Harris will walk it. He’d win the vote of councillors, membership and Oireachtas members.

Other leadership contenders according to some within the party include Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys and Trade Minister Simon Coveney. However, members questioned whether Mr Coveney or Mr Donohoe had an appetite to take over the top job.

Others like junior ministers Peter Burke and Jennifer Carroll McNeill were mentioned as possibilities to lead the party in the future.

One senior party member said Mr Varadkar has privately told those closest to him that he has “unfinished business” in terms of electoral gain for the party.

“It burns him that he hasn’t been very successful in terms of gaining more seats and that’s something he wants to achieve,” a source said.

One minister said they believed the party “has a story to tell” with the new people that they hope to elect. “We’ll have a fresh looking team next time," they said.