Revitalised FG now poised for a comeback

MUCH has been said about the Green Party’s rejection of a pre-election pact with Fine Gael and Labour, and the alleged instability of such a wide variety of political interests.

I would like to draw attention to the first inter-party government, which was composed of no less than five political parties and 14 independent TDs, and yet this government lasted four years. A wise friend of mine once gave me an excellent piece of advice: “Judge me not by the mistakes I make, but rather by the manner in which I correct them.” In the years up to the 2002 election Fine Gael became complacent about its voter loyalty and core support.

Since then Enda Kenny has revitalised the party machine and the membership as well as providing a credible alternative Taoiseach.