Government must be the masters of spin to manage bad news

RENOWNED cyclist and classic golfer, Enda Kenny, can enjoy his August break. The good news just keeps coming: excellent poll ratings, largest ever Dáil majority, principal opponents FF in toxic (even terminal) condition, afterglow of historic successful visits by Queen and President Obama, triumphant speech denouncing Vatican, improved bailout terms and best of all, prospects of Mayo winning Sam Maguire.

A year ago, in the aftermath of the FG leadership heave, such Utopia was unimaginable. Good fortune comes and goes. For this Duracell Bunny to continue to thrive, he’ll need a superlative communications strategy.

Make no mistake, fundamentals for Kenny are fine. As Taoiseach, his grasp on party leadership has never been more secure, despite the malcontents never being more numerous. Gay Mitchell’s presidential nomination victory should send alarm bells ringing within the party hierarchy. They preferred Pat Cox, but figured Mairead McGuinness would win. Main cohort behind Mitchell was an anti-Kenny faction and disaffected TDs. However, future leadership aspirants Varadkar, Hayes and Coveney all want Kenny in situ for years. Sore heads have no chance of dislodging Kenny for the foreseeable future. The Government may suffer backbench anguish, but the boss is impregnable.