FF LEADERSHIP:TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has strengthened his leadership of Fianna Fáil after a series of robust defences this week, a cross-section of backbench TDs has told The Irish Times.
They believe Mr Cowen’s recent combative performances have dispelled the prospect of an immediate challenge to his leadership.
Several pointed to his confrontation with Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and Labour leader Eamon Gilmore during Leaders' Questions yesterday, allied to his noticeably more assertive tone in interviews yesterday on RTÉ's News at Oneand Newstalk's Breakfast.
The clear majority of 25 backbench TDs contacted by The Irish Timesyesterday said they now believed Mr Cowen would lead Fianna Fáil into the general election. However, many entered a caveat that the situation could change in the event of further setbacks for the party such as an opinion poll that suggested further erosion of support for the party under his leadership.
None of the TDs, including dissidents, said they now believed Mr Cowen will face a motion of no confidence at a parliamentary party meeting as backbench TDs opposed to him had no prospect of collecting the 18 signatures necessary to ground the motion.
There was also a strong consensus that a change of leadership could only be brought about if it happened at ministerial level. And while there were mixed views about the prospect of this – with several not ruling it out some time in the new year – a clear majority said they did not believe any Minister would move against Mr Cowen now.
It was rumoured in recent days that Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan might launch a leadership challenge in the aftermath of the Budget but that was dismissed as “without foundation” by an authoritative source yesterday.
Mr Cowen and his supporters presented as significant yesterday's volte faceby Mary O'Rourke, who is the aunt of Mr Lenihan
Last week, following the EU-IMF bailout, she questioned whether the Taoiseach should lead Fianna Fáil into an election. In an interview with Midlands Radio 3 yesterday, she welcomed his statement asserting his leadership. “It was quite straightforward ‘listen guys I’m here, I’m bringing you all into the next election, so buckle down’,” said Ms O’Rourke.
The Kilkenny deputy Bobby Aylward said he had never seen Mr Cowen as strong. “If he wants to lead the party he will. I am happy enough to let him lead us into the next election.”
Others backbenchers who voiced support included Michael Mulcahy, Seán Ardagh, Niall Blaney, Niall Collins, John Cregan and Ned O’Keeffe.
Mr Blaney said: “Anyone pursuing the prospect of an alternative leader is foolish. I would back nobody else because of loyalty he has shown to the party.”
Mr Ardagh said: “He has greatly upped his performances in recent weeks, and the view is that he is the best equipped to debate the economic choices, especially against Labour.”
Another TD, seen as a moderate, said: “However excellent the recent performances, there’s a sense it’s too late. He is the lightning rod for a lot of public anger.
“As against that, the traditions of the party are very strong. I do not see people willing to sign a motion of no confidence.”
Michael Kennedy, who no longer supports Mr Cowen, said Mr Cowen was “untouchably good” while in action within the four walls of Fianna Fáil.
“His problem is not connecting with the public. We need a new leader. If we wait too long, a new leader trying to establish himself will not have time.”
Many of the other TDs who view themselves as moderate said there was no immediate threat to Mr Cowen’s leadership, but a minority – including three prominent younger TDs – said they believed there ought to be a change of leadership.
Others said that Mr Cowen had their support for now but added it was not unconditional.