Soft porn economics and politics only offer us a titillating illusion

THE media frenzy about George Lee has abated. Opinion is divided whether Fine Gael could have managed him differently or he was impatient, unreasonable and egotistical.

While some argue that the “system” has failed and needs to be changed, I contend that to decline a frontbench position and promised ministry on the grounds that it was “under duress” seems to misunderstand how politics works.

Most preferment, promotion and political decisions arise from pragmatic pressures. Eight months and two days is a brief political sojourn by any standards.