PD leader keeps moving the target

ONE of Michael McDowell’s first acts as PD leader was to set a target of 16 Dáil seats for the party at the next election.

However, at an event to mark the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the party last November, he had set a target of 20 seats.

I am certain it will be of no comfort to PD members that the first act of their new leader was to reduce their electoral expectations next year by 25% in one fell swoop.

Mr McDowell has a history of making rash and wildly optimistic predictions about how his party will fare in elections.

As the party’s campaign director in the 2004 local elections, he predicted they could double their local council seats when, in fact, they went on to lose one-third of them.

This blunder does not tally with the image of a master tactician and organisational wizard which the media has created around Mr McDowell in recent days.

The nervous optimism and giddy laughter among PD activists on Mr McDowell’s elevation was redolent of the gobbling of turkeys as Christmas approaches.

It is quite possible he is promising them a future they do not have.

Barry Walsh

Brookfield Hall

Castletroy

Co Limerick