In many ways Leo Varadkar is the embodiment of modern right-wing politics in Ireland: socially liberal, economically conservative. While we can welcome the former we should be extremely wary of the latter. The Fine Gael leader’s eventual championing of progressive causes was driven as much by electoral expediency as ideological principle, to which he was a very late convert. The Taoiseach clearly believes that by posing as a paragon of modernity he can draw in like-minded middle-class voters who might otherwise favour Fianna Fáil or the Labour Party while still holding onto his own fiscally cautious FG base. As with most of the news media that he has sought to flatter or manipulate, on those fundamental matters which dictate how our society and economy is structured, the Dublin TD is more of a reactionary than a radical. From last week’s Irish Times:
The Taoiseach said he disagreed with the use of the term “vulture fund” and criticised the practices of our own banks.
“I’m always reluctant to use the term vulture funds because it is a political term. What we’re talking about here is investment banks, investment funds, finance houses, there are lots of different things and lots of different financial entities there and the term is used, vulture funds.
“But you’ll know from the numbers that they’re often better at write-downs of loans than our own banks.
“Our own banks tend to ‘extend and pretend’ rather than coming to settlements with people.
“Increasingly they’re covered by the same regulations and the same consumer protections as the banks,” he said.
Varadkar’s expectation that he could be so egregiously disingenuous with little or no chance of a serious reprimand from the press illustrates which way the political wind is blowing in the country. It is also a useful reminder of how far on the right of mainstream politics he sits. One wonders if his more traditional Blueshirt deputy, Simon Coveney, would be so crass in public? Or if he would seek to contest terms related to the highly contentious question of house repossessions in front of the electorate, whatever his private thoughts?
AN SIONNACH FIONN 
What a bugger.
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Careful Ciaran the pc brigade are watching. The truth isn’t always appreciated here.
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f..k them.
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At least I didn’t write Varadqueer…
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you are a sad person , get help
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To clarify, I am not homophobic, I dislike Leo.
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Then why references his sexuality and in an obviously negative manner? Surely that indicates that you have feelings of animosity towards his sexual orientation? And that colours your views of the Taoiseach more generally?
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What colours my view of Leo is that he is propped up by corrupt and nepotistic police.
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The man’s sexuality has nothing to do with the issue, I find this comment very offensive and belongs to the pig ignorant past when lack of education on every level was the norm. I am gay, so I have no right to comment then on this blog from the likes of you ?
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I never said you had no right to comment.
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The man is a Thatcherite of the old school: contempt for the poor combined with the conviction that ‘the market’ can do no wrong.
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Looking at some of the comments, it sad to see prejudice of a person private life still the norm, very immature
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Indeed so. By all means, criticise someone for their politics. But their sexuality has nothing to do with that.
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And who are you to decide that?. Because you see yourself as one of these new ‘socialite republicans’ doesn’t mean everyone else has to agree with your opinion. It’s time a lot of the so-called republicans we see today stood back and took a long hard look at themselves. How far are they prepared to go to get into power?. They have already sold their soles. Mine is not for sale. Ones sexuality is ones own business not something everyone else has to know. How do we all know varadkar is queer? Answer, he told us. I would love to see a poll —— “ how many “ gays” voted for abortion.” Murder Irish children and raise the queers onto a pedestal. I cannot believe this country has sunk so low.
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Yet by using the term “queer” in the manner you are using it in, along with the rest of the comment, you are clearly indicating your disgust with his sexuality. I find that, and the rest of your comment, very disheartening. And, if I may so, very unrepublican-like.
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On that point therefore we must agree to disagree. If your sensativetes allow. Obviously I’m too old a cat to be bucked by a kitlen.
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