Alan O’Reilly is a political activist based in London.
Simon Harris, Ireland’s current Minister for Further Education, will soon become the youngest taoiseach in history. The 37-year-old will be elected by TDs when the Dail convenes again on April 9
The sequence of events that have brought us to this point are extraordinary. Only a week ago, Leo Varadkar looked secure in office.
Yes, he had just lost two referenda, but history had shown this had little if any bearing on government incumbency. He had just returned from St Patricks Day in Washington, where he hobnobbed with Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and a host of other dignitaries.
At home, Sinn Féin had recorded falls in the polls ,and it was looking increasingly possible that his Fine Gael/Fianna Fail/Green coalition could be re-elected. All in all, whilst the Taoiseach had taken some knocks, there was nothing to suggest the imminent end of his premiership.
And then, on Wednesday morning, the press were informed of an imminent announcement from government. Stepping out in the March sunshine, Varadkar announced to a shocked country that he was stepping down. There was no scandal or issue that had led him to this point, simply a believe that he was “not the best person for the job anymore”.
This was a political earthquake almost unknown in Irish politics. Varadkar had been a politician all his adult life, serving as councillor, TD, and then 13 years as a minister and as Taoiseach.
But in the aftermath, commentators spoke of a man who had simply reached his limit; who was eager to explore a life outside of politics; who had given his all and was seeking a new path.
Varadkar announced he would step down immediately as leader of Fine Gael, triggering a leadership election before the election of a new Taoiseach on April 9. Both Fianna Fáil and the Greens were comfortable with the arrangement, seeking only confirmation that any new leader would not go to the polls sooner than necessary.
Thus, as the surprised and shocked Fine Gael woke up Thursday morning pondering its future, one man did not sit still. Almost immediately, Simon Harris swung into action.
Supporters were immediately out in the airwaves calling for him to stand. He quickly secured the nomination for leadership and then continued to secure more and more support among the Fine Gael parliamentary party.
By Friday it was clear he was the overwhelming favorite, and other heavyweights started to drop out. Over the weekend, Harris secured a commitment from Heather Humphries TD, another senior rival and Minister for Social Protection, to support him, in return for the Fine Gael deputy leadership.
On Sunday morning, what had looked to be potentially a protracted debate about the future of the party with a difficult leadership election had instead become a coronation. With no other nominees, Harris became the leader of Fine Gael.
While he may be young for the role, Harris has been preparing for a long time. He is steeped in Fine Gael serving as a councillor, TD, and minister. He served in government since 2016 and was Minister for Health for the early part of the Covid pandemic.
Harris is a gifted communicator at ease in traditional media and social media. He is a sharp debater who has shown he can take the fight to opponents. Indeed, in his maiden speech as leader, he drew a very clear distinction with Sinn Féin, highlighting Fine Gael’s commitment to law and order and arguing the republicans had not done enough to severe their historical links to the Provisional IRA.
He has a huge task ahead of him. Elections are not slated until March 2025, and he has committed that there will be no early election. He will have to immediately stamp his authority on the party, prepare for coming European elections, hold a budget in the autumn, and ready his party for what will be a pivotal election in March next year.
But if recent events proved anything, while a week is a long time in politics, a year is a lifetime. Harris is a man in a hurry, and that might just be what is party needs – for he will have scant time to rest in the year ahead.
The post Alan O’Reilly: Simon Harris is the new leader of Fine Gael – and youngest Taoiseach in the history of Ireland appeared first on Conservative Home.
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Author: Alan O’Reilly
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