You both sought election on the basis that you led parties that were responsible parties of government and were committed to the common good of the people – not committed to putting your parties’ interests before the people’s interest.
Yes, both of you, and for different electoral reasons, out-ruled coalescing with each other during the election – perhaps hoping that you could form a government with Labour and/or independents.
But the people have decisively denied you both that chance. They gave each of you about one quarter of their first preferences. And they left a combination of your parties’ strength as the only basis for a plausible, stable government.
You did not get the mandates you sought. You did not get a mandate to govern by yourselves as a weak, interim minority government. The people heard you both say, but did not accept, that neither of you would join the other in government. You are in no way bound by commitments that the people heard and rejected. The people dealt you both a different hand.
For you, Enda, the election was a major defeat – another “wallop”. For you, Micheál, the election was the second worst by far in your party’s history.
Grass Roots Unreality
We are now told that the Fianna Fáil “grassroots” are totally opposed to sharing office with Fine Gael. My definition of “grassroots” is that section of the electorate who vote for a party. Others may define the term as meaning only active members.
This paper has published a poll that showed that a clear majority of Fianna Fáil supporters favour a coalition.
So, is it now the case that committed FF party members are out of touch with the people whose votes they canvassed and secured? Do party members know better than the party’s voters? Are they privy to some secret information that those who voted for the party do not share or understand?
I came from a Fine Gael background. I joined the party and organised and directed elections and chaired my constituency party over twenty years. I know how Fine Gael people think. I know their values.
I sat on opposition benches with Fianna Fáil as a Progressive Democrats TD and I also sat at Cabinet with Fianna Fáil ministers for eight years. I know how Fianna Fáil people think. I know their values.
I know – not just believe – that, while there are some differences in political culture and values between FF and FG, there is little or no ideological difference between them.
Each of FF and FG, when it suits, portrays itself as left-of-centre, whether as the “party of the small man” or as the “party of the Just Society”. Both of them have, in the past, worked in partnership with the Labour party in government. Each of them is well capable of working with the other.
Whatever small differences there are between them, they are by no means incompatible.
Both partly defined themselves as “not the other”. Each regarded its role as excluding the other from office.
That was all very well as long as the voters tolerated it – by affording one the prospect of governing without the support of the other. But that era is over. Your parties have both been reduced to the point where neither can govern without the support of the other.
As democrats and republicans, both FF and FG should accept the people’s verdicts on them as expressed at the ballot box.
Micheál, you have not really led since the election. You have allowed your options to narrow rather than widen.
Enda’s Position
But, Enda, you have shown us that you misunderstand the people’s verdict.
I wrote here a few weeks ago that you, Enda, should realise that your own departure as Taoiseach may be a necessary condition for the formation of a new government. There is simply no popular appetite for a new government led by you, Enda.
Voters want and need a new direction – a strong, stable government bent on reform and on social and economic justice. We need a 5 year plan, setting medium term targets for economic and social development. The new government needs a fair wind in terms of public goodwill. Being led by Enda Kenny is not part of that scenario.
Fine Gael TDs know that you, Enda, must go soon. But none of them will say as much now. They put on a brave face and talk weakly of giving you 18 months. And none of your potential replacements dares utter the thought or strike the first blow for fear of being painted as disloyal to the party at a moment of crisis.
So who will state the obvious to you? Maybe the Independents have done so. Mavbe they have yet to do so. When they do, perhaps, the impasse might just begin to be resolved.
Seeking support for a minority government without negotiations between FF and FG was, for both of you, a futile exercise in herding cats. It was unfair to the Independents to force them to participate in such a futile, hopeless charade. So far, they come across as more reasonable than either of you.
The President’s Role
The President, Micheál D Higgins, may soon become a key figure in bringing you to your senses. While he will undoubtedly allow you both all sufficient time to face up to realities and to your constitutional responsibilities, he must be examining the powers he has been given under the Constitution to address the impasse.
Under Article 13.2.2, he has the absolute right to refuse the dissolution of the Dáil if you, Enda, as the Taoiseach who has lost the support of the Dáil, seek it.
He also has the right under Article 13.2.3. to convene a meeting of the Dáil, having consulted the Council of State.
He can, with the approval of the Government, address the Oireachtas on a matter of national importance.
His personal standing is very high. If he addressed the Oireachtas on the need to form a government and to overcome narrow party interest, the people will heed his words. Should it come to that, each of you, Enda and Micheál, will look like diminished men in the eyes of the public.
Just imagine yourselves sitting there and listening to his address televised to the people, and squirming as the people realise how much they are being short-changed by personal and party interest being put before the good of the people.
If you don’t like that scenario, face up to reality now.
Enda, it seems time to go. Micheál, it is time to lead your party – not follow it.
Ireland’s horizon is replete with storm clouds – Brexit, industrial relations strife, the Middle East, Trumpism, Putinism, EU paralysis, and mass migration to name a few. Homelessness, rural decline, pay policy, and criminality also require a strong government with the respect of the people and a five year programme rather than day-to-day short-term vision.
The people have given your parties the means to act. Why treat them like fools?
Sinn Féin is not the big threat; they got 13% of the vote – less than Martin McGuinness got in the presidential election. They and the far left have only 20% support.
And, finally, remember, Micheál, that you will eventually have to face a microphone and answer the question: “If the result of the next election is that the only viable government is a FG/FF government, will you be willing to accept the will of the people? And if so then, why not now? ”
I hope you have a convincing answer.
Yours hopefully,
Michael McDowell