Amidst Leo Varadkar’s departure and the pending announcement of the “TikTok Taoiseach”, one Fine Gael TD said it is time to bring new faces into the party.
Chair of the Parliamentary Party TD Alan Dillon said the exodus of high-ranking party members from Fine Gael could be an opportunity for evolution.
“There is an opportunity now to see new faces, to hear from your new voices,” he said.
“I think our party is in a healthy position with new candidates who are looking not just on the upcoming local and European elections, but also future general elections.
“I think our party is in a good position.”
Some 11 Fine Gael TDs have already announced they do not plan on contesting the next general election.
These figures include former Education Minister Joe McHugh, who has served as TD since 2007, and Richard Bruton, another former education minister who has been in the Dáil since 1982.
Former Progressive Democrat leader and Galway East TD for Fine Gael Ciaran Cannon was the most recent TD to announce he would be leaving politics, citing the “toxic” environment that has developed from the public.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also announced a step away from Irish politics with his abrupt resignation announcement as Fine Gael leader on Wednesday.
He has not yet clarified if he will contest the next general election, though since the last election he has changed address to Portobello, suggesting he would need to run in a different constituency.
New Fine Gael leader
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris is due to be announced as the next leader of Fine Gael later this afternoon, while he will officially become Taoiseach in early April.
Mr Harris entered the Dáil at the age of 24 and was the “baby of the Dáil”, the unofficial title given to the youngest TD in Leinster House.
13 years later, at the age of 37, Mr Harris will be Ireland’s youngest Taoiseach, being just a few months younger than Mr Varadkar was when he came into power.
The Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris arriving at Cabinet in Dublin Castle, 01-09-2020. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNewsMr Harris has received attention for his social media presence, with many describing him as the “TikTok Taoiseach”.
He told reporters yesterday that starting politics as a “moody teenager” campaigning for people with disabilities has prepared him to lead Fine Gael.
“I want to take that can-do approach to getting things done to renewing our party to injecting a level of energy,” he said.
“To anybody who thinks this party is tired to anyone who thinks his party lacks energy, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
