Matthews, FG odd fit

It is no surprise to hear that Peter Matthews has left Fine Gael. They always seemed like an odd fit. Mr Matthews brought a fresh perspective to scores of issues, many of them in divergence with party policy.

His forthright views on the banking crisis were instructive, while his conscientious position on abortion legislation comes to mind. At times, badgered by the career politicians in FG, he stood firmly by what he believed in, all the time remaining affable and calm in the political bear pit. Whispering in the corridors will have already begun — who will be next to leave?

John Bellew