George Lee Resignation

In the immediate aftermath of George Lee's resignation from the Dail, it was noticeable how favourable the response to his decision to quit was. There was talk of politics being a graveyard for innovators and clear thinkers, a knacker's yard for the well intended, a place where the machinery of do-gooding has well and truly ceased up.


There were no metaphors alluding to toys or prams, instead Enda Kenny's leadership was called into question. A positive side effect for both Kenny and Fine Gael (FG) is that for the time being his handling of Lee's resignation has quashed any such debate. Lee is a public figure who has essentially given up at the first hurdle, or second if you view his election as such. (I don't, his personal popularity coupled with The Government's polling figures meant he was a shooin.)


George Lee had unrealistic expectations and whilst a desire to make a difference for the better seems to have been a motivating factor in his decision to run, arrogance and ego may have been central to his decision to step down. In the short time George Lee was a TD, he proved to be both a help and hindrance to FG. His celebrity and the trust he garnered in hundreds of thousands of Irish people meant that as a political commodity he was valuable. However it struck me that George Lee was never a permanent cast member on the soap that is Fine Gael, more like a friendly face who makes a cameo appearance when ratings take a dip. He was largely apolitical and spoke for himself more than for the party.


One must acknowledge that in the wider community this is seen as a case of 'us' versus 'them.' 'Us' being the ordinary Irish worker, 'them' being the political establishment and as such there is much support for Lee's decision. I am not one of those supporters. 27,000 voted for something different. George Lee has abandoned the hopes and aspirations of those who wanted change. Why? Because he was 'unfulfilled'?


I don't have anything new to add to this debate. I don't have a position on whether or not George Lee was under-utilised, whether he was marginalised. I do know that he was elected in June 2009. You know today's date I'm sure. Is it reasonable to expect change to occur when in opposition? When the Dail has only been in session for 19 weeks since his election? Fine Gael's time is seemingly just around the corner. I find it interesting that many of those polled by Joe Duffy on RTE Radio 1, were in favour of Lee's resignation, considering that he has a 150,000 Euro salary and pension waiting for him in RTE as he chose, not to quit the broadcaster in favour of his new career, but merely take a leave of absence. On the back of this one could certainly question his commitment to the cause.


Since then, journalists have filed copy that is more aligned to my own feelings on the matter. Of all the articles I have read, I would recommend this piece by Sarah Carey of The Irish Times, which I think says it all.