Simon Harris, the TikTok Taoiseach

He didn’t:

HSE Director General Tony O’Brien said that the campaign against the HPV vaccine couldn’t be described as anything other than “a form of emotional terrorism”.

https://www.thejournal.ie/hpv-vaccine-8-3572223-Aug2017/

Hardly a major surprise ,once a contender is out in front the others will row in behind as they don't want to be on the wrong side of the expectant winner .One thing about multi party governments now is fewer jobs to go round for one party so lack of opportunities to have a few big portfolios under their belt when the top job comes up .

I just find it hard not to see Simon Harris as an over enthusiastic student. He's just been on the News saying "I'm in, I wanna be the leader of Fine Gael" .........he seems so immature. He IS so immature!

Actually FF or the Greens could play a blinder. Imagine been the party to pull the plug and saving us from Harris.

emails will sent tomorrow…

It felt more like all the other contenders took one step back 🤪

Maybe the other Simon and Pascal did hold back but no guarantees they get another chance ,can really say has that worked for anyone before thinking that in a couple of years it would be a better time .The way the numbers look like falling FFFG have a good chance of getting back in with a couple of partners.Unless there are a couple of parties elsewhere with a big seat tally I think this government will be back .

He is the fool who will take over and take the blame for the election disasters to come. He will be gone in a year and then the serious candidates will come forward.

I wonder was he promised a future government role by Donohue/Coveney to take the fall this time.

I'd say some of the other potential candidates had a chat and agreed to just let Simon take it. He probably thinks they are actually supporting him.

I'm unlikely to ever be a FG voter so they're never going to be troubled by the likes of my opinion on who they choose as leader. But good Jesus how could Harris be the Taoiseach? How low have we sunk? He is utterly incompetent. I really dislike Varadkar and would be very critical of a lot of his statements and political choices, but he knew what he was at and was capable, even if not to my taste. The thoughts of this fool leading us is frightening.

On the other hand, perhaps it's a good thing that Harris will be the final nail in the coffin of this current iteration of FG. He will ensure no bounce in support before the general election, where somebody competent like Paschal might rally some support.

Also, if we have to have a second rate FG Taoiseach, I'd also be happier not to see McEntee or Humphries (or even more sickeningly Carroll-McNeill) undeservedly steal the first female Taoiseach "crown". I also won't be voting for SF, but if we're going to have a first female Taoiseach fuss then I'd rather it be Mary Lou after leading SF to election victory.

Let FG off. We only have another 11 months max. Probably less. Harris will do just fine...as a vote loser

Simon Harris going for the leadership now simply confirms his lack of nous not just in the political field. FG are losing lots of sitting TD's to contest the next election. Donohoe and Coveney are being smart by hanging back. FG are looking at an election pummelling. Harris seems stupid enough to be the clown at the head of the disaster for the sake of being Taoiseach for a brief (historically) period of time. I have mocked the US for confirming both Trump and Biden as President and look where we are as a nation now.

Varadkar, though lacking gravitas, was at least outwardly competent. Harris is a bumbler, in addition to lacking gravitas and basic competency. Is their really such a dearth of political talent in FG that two shrewdies aside, we're left with Harris likely to become Taoiseach. For his ability levels it's an astonishing achievement.

Who would you like to see as taoiseach yourself? And please just a name, not a speech about fresh elections etc etc.

Not one of those things relate to Harris.

It’s a country not managing a 5 a side team. We don’t “give him a chance “

he couldn’t get a job in MacDonalds with his CV

He seems less sincere! A complete fake. A power hungry ladder climber dressed up as a do-gooder. At least Varadkar didn't try to hide his brash arrogance.

He's also had a chance already in a couple of ministries and has not excelled. His tenure in Health was one of the worst ever - and that takes some doing.

Yeah his hair is almost completely grey as well I noticed. 37 years old.

Between this guy, Trump, Biden, and all the fools who have been in charge in the UK over the last few years, the standard of politician really has gone to the dogs.

I suppose spread your interest in politics beyond the Anglo American bubble.

He is not going to solve.immigration issues. Nor sort out the debacle that is the HSE or rte or any state/ semi state shite.

He isn't capable. He isn't likeable and he isn't capable of the trust the citizens of this country should be able to place.in our Taoiseach.

Out of his depth 6 years ago and still out of his depth now: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/out-of-their-depth-did-murphy-and-harris-rise-too-fast-too-soon-to-departments-of-doom/37268597.html

Murphy left politics, Varadkar is on his way out.. Harris next leader of a small minority party after the next GE.