It’s time for all political parties to start thinking the unthinkable

THE final count is over. The political theatre and drama has delivered the expected results. Fine Gael is the largest party in local government with more than 330 seats. Labour is the big Euro winner with a gain of two seats, while FF, FG and SF each lost a seat. I can’t resist recalling my original predictions in this column of 30th April, forecasting 11 of the 12 MEPs — Joe Higgins being the elusive MEP.

The future narrative of national politics seems foreseeable. The FF/Green government will circle the wagons and limp on in a weakened state. With each unpopular measure, the clamour for change will escalate. Eventually they will buckle on some specific issue. The resultant general election will see a change of administration. FG and Labour could obtain an overall majority, without smaller parties. While the faces may change the problems won’t. After a honeymoon, they will suffer unpopularity through harsh medicine. A resurgent FF will provide outright opposition. The political wheel will rotate again… The past pattern of politics converts to history. This presupposes ordinary economic and social circumstances. Sadly, our problems are overwhelming. Exceptional difficulties face whoever is in government. A national unity government is a non-runner. Twelve years of Fianna Fáil makes such an option impossible. The valid blame game, cronyism and extent of their denial all lead to conflict rather than co-operation.