Elaine Loughlin: Nothing new? Simon Harris faces a tough sell ahead of election

The problem for Harris is that apart from Varadkar and Coveney, his Cabinet team is the same. Many ideas he tried to promote as priorities are shared with Coalition colleagues, and in some cases the opposition

For Simon Harris, the idea that Fine Gael robs policies was close to the bone. Picture: PA

You know a politician has been irked when they refer to a journalist by name in responding to a question. It’s a natural ‘tell’ I’ve picked up on from attending countless, and sometimes heated, media doorsteps over the years.

For Taoiseach Simon Harris, the suggestion this week that Fine Gael is 
a party that robs the policies of others and repackages them appeared to cut too close to the bone.

A party that has the same old plans as everyone else, or at least a version of them, doesn’t align with the narrative of a new energy and a new approach.

Neither does going to the voters with the same senior political faces as in the last election.

On Monday, Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman said that the State must take an “even greater role in the delivery and provision of childcare” because of the lack of community and private providers in some places.

The move, while radical, is not new within the Green Party, and is similar to a view Mr O’Gorman uttered in an interview with the Irish Examiner in 2020.

Roderic O'Gorman's statement on childcare provision is similar to a view he expressed in an interview with the 'Irish Examiner' in 2020. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

By Wednesday, Mr Harris was also making bold, but familiar, statements about childcare, promising that his party would begin a consultation on setting up a public childcare and early-education service.

“I ultimately believe the model of childcare in Ireland, and early childhood education, needs to be in the public space and needs to be more closely linked to our education system,” Mr Harris said.

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Addressing the media at the Fine Gael think-in in Tullamore this week, Mr Harris admitted that in a three-party Government, no party owns an area or policy.

“We listen to each other, we work together,” Mr Harris said. “And despite being three distinct parties, we’ve collaborated really well on lots of issues. 

We go forward in the election, when it happens, as three distinct parties, and I’m sure there’ll be areas of agreement, and I’m sure there’ll also be policy nuances as well.

He remained upbeat in explaining that the three parties will be “grounded” in the forthcoming Housing For All targets, due to be brought forward by Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien soon.

However, the energy soured when he was asked whether his party was stealing ideas from others — childcare plans from the Greens; housing policy from Fianna Fáil — and bundling them up as Fine Gael ideas.

“No, and maybe before you put that question, you’d read the policies when they are produced, because we haven’t produced the policy, Elaine,” Mr Harris said.

“If you heard my comments earlier, we’re going out to consultation this Friday in relation to the policy. It’s my clear view, and I’ve been very clear on this since becoming leader of this party, that I want childcare to be a part of the publicly-funded education system.”

That was me put in my place: By name.

But the tetchy exchange unmasked what could become a real issue for the Taoiseach: That soundbites and enthusiasm don’t automatically equate to ingenuity or delivery.

The Harris on this side of the Atlantic is facing a similar conundrum to another — Kamala — across the ocean: How to spin it that you are offering something new when you have been an intrinsic part of an established government?

How do you sell yourself as a leader with fresh ideas without disrespecting the previous leadership, or the colleagues that you may need again after the election?

And how Mr Harris will explain to voters why, after 13 years, Fine Gael is  only now offering up proposals to address childcare, and other inadequacies, will be interesting.

Mary Lou McDonald said the Taoiseach and his Government have had 'many, many years' to take significant steps to support parents. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, launching her own childcare policy, which includes a promise to limit creche costs to €10 a day, was only too keen to draw attention to this dilemma, stating that the Taoiseach and his Government have had “many, many years” to take significant steps to support parents.

 Instead, it seems, on the brow of an election, they are running with the soundbite, rather than a clearly thought-out proposal, or plan, or a clear-cut commitment to parents in the here and now.

Fine Gael members, including his predecessor, have been buoyed by Mr Harris. There’s no doubt about that. Leo Varadkar, free of the shackles of power, has found a new voice, or perhaps just the freedom to air his true opinions.

Since stepping down as taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael in March, Mr Varadkar has peppered his social media with a mix of personal posts, political updates, and bold statements.

“Get em girl!!” Mr Varadkar wrote in bright-red captions, alongside a screengrab detailing the fact that JK Rowling and Elon Musk had been named in a cyberbullying lawsuit filed by boxer Imane Khelif after her Olympic win.

He accompanied the image with a detailed statement of support, hitting out at a “bunch of bullies looking for a soft target”.

Mr Varadkar added that he would be happy to make a donation towards the lawsuit.

There have been pictures from dinner dates with Mr Varadkar’s partner Matt, as well as multiple photos out on canvasses with Fine Gael candidates, and videos from his trip to the US to attend the Democrats’ convention.

Paschal Donohoe and Simon Harris at Fine Gael's think-in on Wednesday. Picture: Fergal Phillips  

At the Fine Gael think-in on Wednesday, Mr Varadkar, perhaps seeing the irony of it all, posted a picture from the back of the room, where in front of him stood Mr Harris at the podium and a projector screen that read: “New Team, New Energy.”

The problem for Mr Harris is that, apart from Mr Varadkar and Simon Coveney, who both stood aside, his Cabinet team is the same. And many of the ideas he has already tried to promote as priorities are shared with his Coalition colleagues, and, in some cases, have also been the stated policy of the opposition.

He needs to somehow convince the electorate that what he is offering is fresh, but with familiar faces. Mr Harris may not be able to adjust his front bench ahead of the election, but the direction he takes on policy must show that he can convert his energy into real and tangible change.