Interesting report in today’s Irish Times about the rumblings within Fine Gael
The intermittent rumblings about Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s leadership are preparing Fine Gael for the choice it will have to make. “It’s now the time to start getting organised,” said one of those who will be centrally involved in preparing a leadership hopeful.
The three main contenders are Varadkar, Simon Coveney and Frances Fitzgerald.Varadkar is seen as streets ahead of his rivals in terms of parliamentary party support.
As of now Varadkar appears to be ahead;
One of his supporters estimated that of the 50 Fine Gael TDs, Varadkar could, right now, win 25. A plan to keep the contest within the parliamentary party rather than including the wider membership, as had been discussed between Ministers as a fallback option if Fine Gael faced a snap general election earlier this year, is understood to still be in favour with some in Varadkar’s camp.
David McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs