Kenny deserves to lead single-party government

IF Enda Kenny can do for the country what he has done for the Fine Gael party, he deserves to lead a single-party government.

I am surprised to find myself saying this as I have been highly critical of Mr Kenny and Fine Gael in the past.

However, unlike many politicians, I don't mind admitting it when I have been mistaken.

Perhaps those who are still unconvinced might consider my reasons for this change of mind.

I had been concerned that Enda Kenny and his party were wedded to a narrow past in which bad old habits held sway: Fine Gael as a deeply conservative party characterised by its reverence for many sacred cows.

However, since the challenge to his leadership, Mr Kenny has built a united party which seems to reflect the concerns and the realism of the decent, sensible people of this country, be they conservative, liberal or social democrats.

Fine Gael has not attempted to sugar the pill and their honesty, as demonstrated not least by Micheal Noonan, seems to be acknowledged by the majority of the electorate.

Leadership is desperately required and not just of the artificial variety that scores well in television debates. Whether one agrees with Mr Kenny or not, he is a leader who will not shirk making decisions. It is also a question of character.

Mr Kenny dedicated himself to rebuilding a party, which was a basket-case, into a credible political force in this country.

The obvious analogy with the current state of the country appears not to have been lost on the Irish people.

Maurice Dockrell

Glenomena Grove

Blackrock

Co Dublin