Joe Higgins vs The World

Yellow Roman Candles contributor JP O’Malley recently met with former Dublin West TD Joe Higgins to discuss Irish politics post-Lisbon and, hopefully, pre-the entry of Higgins onto the European political stage.

Hoping we won’t shoot the messenger

Hats off to Carl O’Brien for his insightful feature on the economic situation in my native county, Longford. Through talking to a wide cross section of the local community – politicians, traders, publicans, auctioneers, farmers, commuters, immigrants – he paints what I feel is a very accurate picture of what’s happening there.

A drive through most parishes reveals an empty or unfinished housing development, while recently built commercial/industrial units lie dormant on the outskirts of Longford town. In the town itself, the high number of vacant retail spaces is evident and on the Main St a brand new shopping centre lies empty with no anchor tenant. The county has experienced many problems with its water supply in recent years and, like everywhere else, the job situation is prompting young people to skip the country.

Growing up in Longford, I always felt that local establishment figures (namely politicians and local media) were always too sensitive to any coverage the county received in the national media.

Trying to appear calm

Taking a leaf out of someone else’s book, Fine Gael are making a concerted effort to present their leader as a responsible and reassuring figure in these uncertain times. It marks a change of direction from the JFK-quoting, cocky personality who has lead the party for six years.

Latest poll

Sunday Business Post-Red C poll to be published tomorrow:
If there were a general election tomorrow, to which party or independent candidate would you give your first preference vote?

Fianna Fáil 30% (+4)
Fine Gael 35% (+2)
Labour 14% (-1)
Greens 5% (-1)
Sinn Féin 8% (-2)
Independent 8% (no change)

It’s the first poll without the PDs, and Fine Gael seem to have benefited most as Fianna Fáil were always going to bounce back a little after last month’s new low for them.

Great expectations

Without anybody saying it, there were high expectations for Richard Bruton’s address on the economy. When the time came, he received a standing ovation as he arrived at the podium. You can read that two ways: 1) This is a carefully stage-managed event – especially when RTÉ 1 is carrying a live feed from the main hall – so you’d expect the crowd to be enthusiastic, or 2) this event is so stage-managed that the powers that be wouldn’t plan to have an ovation for Bruton and not for the other speakers. Anyway, it seemed to be spontaneous and Bruton has been flavour of the month because of the budget. Why does it matter? Because of that poll and the fact that Kenny will be judged on his next local election results. Bruton might be asked to take the reins.