George Lee is wrong

The leader of Fine Gael alongside the party's TD for Mayo, Enda Kenny (Courtesy Youtube.com)


George Lee, prospective TD for Dublin South, is wrong. Not necessarily wrong in his economic analysis but he is making a mistake in entering politics. He should have stayed in broadcasting and it is doubtful he’ll be a TD of many issues. Instead he may fall into a position of being an economic guru, like Dr.James Reilly TD – who has welded himself to the role of being Health speaker for Fine Gael.

In an interview, this week in the Dun Laoghaire Gazette, Mr Lee, almost in an Obamaesque way, sets out why he is running for a seat in Dáil Eireann: “I want to represent the issues of the people of Dublin South. I know what the issues are, I suffered from them. I have kids myself, I want them to have a future……I am putting myself before the electorate because I believe passionately in the power of politics to inspire all of us to bring about change.” But George, politics isn’t all about economics. You have to be on call 24 hours a day as a TD and economic analysis is not enough on its own.

Mr Lee may have impeccable knowledge of economic matters but will he be able to apply this forensic skill to the political stage? One cannot be sure of this; TDs shouldn’t be single issue members. Whilst his integrity and honesty is obvious, this may be a challenge for the former RTE economics editor. However he is pushing all the right buttons with the voters at the moment, even if his long term future in politics is uncertain.

Lee is an extremely precise economic journalist and it’s hard to imagine him campaigning on behalf of angry suburbanites complaining about the various social problems that constituents are concerned about. Furthermore he has no previous political experience unlike his chief challenger for the vacant seat of Dublin South, Senator Alex White (Labour), who has been around the block a few times. Also Mr Lee hasn’t got family ties to politics like Shay Brennan (Fianna Fáil). For himself and his colleagues this is an exciting time but with FG in opposition there is little chance for George to ply his skills in government.

Fine Gael has been out of power for most of the last 20 years and has not got enough of a track record in government. Would it not have been wiser to become an advisor to this government? Former RTE broadcaster, Sean Duignan was, for a number of years, government press secretary to former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds. Lee might have been able to take a similar role advising the current government on economic matters. Beating a drum in opposition is much more difficult and if he does get into Leinster House, following this by-election, it’s fair to assume the FG member will have little or no bearing on government policy.

RTE are perhaps the biggest losers though. Who can they get to replace the venerable Lee? I am thinking they must be in a difficult position trying to get someone with as much expertise on economic matters. Who will replace him at Montrose? Brian Lucey, David Murphy, or maybe even Ryan Tubridy? This is the headache George Lee has presented to the national broadcaster and Fine Gael must be hoping that the migraine spreads to Brian Lenihan too.
© Ian Callagy 2009