George Lee resigns from Fine Gael and Dail!!!

Rovi · 08-02-2010 12:51PM #1

Press release on NewsTalk right now.

Jip · 08-02-2010 12:53PM

Just listening to that myself, that's a surprise, he didn't last very long did he ? Sounds like he wasn't getting enough say in the party and he didn't like that at all.

Pittens · 08-02-2010 12:54PM

Probably read Vincent Browne's piece in the SBP yesterday.

Laminations · 08-02-2010 12:54PM

Just heard. Not a shining vote of confidence for FG. It must be so frustrating to want to affect change and be sidelined. Big loss to the party IMO

Judgement Day · 08-02-2010 12:55PM

What a twat - you don't join something like FG and expect to change it overnight. I suppose he will accepted back into RTE with open arms now. Maybe he can write a bestseller and make a movie too.

Villain · 08-02-2010 12:56PM

Yep just announced on Today FM, hard to go back as an indpendent correspondent now, pretty big blow for FG, he should have went as Indpendent for a while giving the current Dail numbers he could have had more say as an Indo

FlashGordon1969 · 08-02-2010 12:58PM

Im presuming this is true. What a shock. Is it defo true?

esharknz · 08-02-2010 12:58PM

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0208/breaking40.htm

yop · 08-02-2010 12:58PM

Thats odd. Something weird behind that. It would take a little confidence away from FG that.
Met the guy at our work place and have to say I was impressed with his knowledge and interest in our company and products.

Flamed Diving · 08-02-2010 12:59PM

Predictable.

LostinBlanch · 08-02-2010 01:02PM

Huge blow for FG.

Looks like they've shot themselves in the foot there. It will only increase the clamour for Enda Kenny to go.

Best thing for FF in ages. Lee would have made mincemeat of Lenihans lies on NAMA and the economy if he was let do so.

Laminations · 08-02-2010 01:04PM

Its a shame. It shows the mans integrity. The same cant be said for the Greens and Dan Boyle, how many times have they threatened pulling out?

Jip · 08-02-2010 01:07PM

Laminations wrote: »

Its a shame. It shows the mans integrity.

But does it really ? He obviously only joined FG thinking he would get a mouth piece and influence for his ideas, by leaving so soon it shows he has no loyalty to any particular party or ideology.

simonj · 08-02-2010 01:07PM

People voted for him, he has a duty to at least complete his term to provide representation - not jump halfway through the term a la Sarah Palin

It wont achieve anything, maybe if some Greens did the same it would have an effect, but Lee doing this - especially on the back of yesterdays paper is acting on personal pique rather than the much vaunted national interest

But more and more people are getting sick of the FF/FG tweedledum, tweedledumber system where party loyalty and the whip come first

Pride Fighter · 08-02-2010 01:09PM

Jip wrote: »

But does it really ? He obviously only joined FG thinking he would get a mouth piece and influence for his ideas, by leaving so soon it shows he has no loyalty to any particular party or ideology.

Thats a good thing though. FG are an awful party of the far right. I have more respect for the man now.

FlashGordon1969 · 08-02-2010 01:09PM

Just confirmed on News at one RTE. George is a twat-pure and simple. What size ego does he have that he thought he would be at the centre of economic policy writing in Fine Gael after six months! This is not good news for Fine Gael .But this storm over lee will pass,while the economic quagmire we are in, sadly wont. So ,if I was a Fianna Failure ,I would let a smile crack across my lips but in a few days its back to cleaning up the terrible mess you created.

yop · 08-02-2010 01:10PM

Will he get his TD's pension

Have to say after 9 month stint its a joke. What does he expect to do when the party are not in power.

Ludo · 08-02-2010 01:11PM

Laminations wrote: »

Its a shame. It shows the mans integrity.

Integrity??? Nope. Shows he is a quitter. 7/8 months is no time. What did he expect exactly? To be leader of the party immediately and taoiseach already or something?

All he has done is cost the country money by forcing another by-election and wasting public money paying him for his useless time.

And to think I supported him.

08-02-2010 01:14PM

The older boys won't let me play so I am going home to mammy.

dlofnep · 08-02-2010 01:14PM

Seems like he didn't know what he was signing up for when he joined FG, but he found out quick enough. There's no point in him sitting out his term with a party if he doesn't wish to be a part of it.

JonathanAnon · 08-02-2010 01:15PM

LostinBlanch wrote: »

Huge blow for FG.

Have to agree. The ways things seem to be turning FF will get voted back in at the next election.

Disappointed in George. Thought he should have at least held on for the end of the term.

The Don 1985 · 08-02-2010 01:16PM

I'm sure he has a valid reason...thought they should have used him alot more than they did anyway,pure stupidity on Enda Kennys part...whats the point in going to all the hassles of getting him to stand for election and then just casting him to the side when he gets elected.Enda Kenny obiously wanted him to wait in line to get to the top,this is a typical example of what Irish politics is like,Enda didnt want to point anyone else out by having George skip to the top of the que...exactly whats wrong with this country,too many yes men and not enough people like George,Michael O'Leary etc.

Flamed Diving · 08-02-2010 01:16PM

Jip wrote: »

But does it really ? He obviously only joined FG thinking he would get a mouth piece and influence for his ideas, by leaving so soon it shows he has no loyalty to any particular party or ideology.

Therefore he has integrity.

seamus · 08-02-2010 01:17PM

LostinBlanch wrote: »

Huge blow for FG.

I think so, particularly in the constituency that Lee was voted in, FG may have to kiss a seat goodbye for a long time there.

Looks like they've shot themselves in the foot there. It will only increase the clamour for Enda Kenny to go.

If anything I think it will strengthen Kenny's position internally because he didn't "capitulate" and promote the best man for the job, instead opting to maintain the oligarchy/cronyism that rules FF & FG.

Externally, yes it does, because it makes it appear that Kenny decided to take on a "star" candidate purely for the additional Dail seat but didn't intend to actually make use of his experience - which is no doubt why a lot of people voted for him.

hallelujajordan · 08-02-2010 01:18PM

There is no integrity in this move... Had he quit FG but stayed on as an Independent it might have shown integrity... But to quit his Dail seat ? ? The people elected him to represent their constituency not to shape FG economic policy.

Huge blow to Enda Kenny too . . Clearly he had promised Lee something that he couldn't deliver !

Joey the lips · 08-02-2010 01:19PM

Very interesting. I reckon he is on his way to the greens.

flanzer · 08-02-2010 01:20PM

Massive blow for FG. They quite clearly don't have a clue how to run the country and George knows that. The only way they'll come good out of this is, if Enda resigns and takes most of the front bench with him

Jip · 08-02-2010 01:20PM

Have RTE kept his position open ?

EDIT !! He has just been asked what he's going to do next and he said probably go back to RTE ? How the hell can he slip back in there considering his attitude to the organisation once he left ??

FlashGordon1969 · 08-02-2010 01:22PM

hallelujajordan wrote: »

There is no integrity in this move... Had he quit FG but stayed on as an Independent it might have shown integrity... But to quit his Dail seat ? ? The people elected him to represent their constituency not to shape FG economic policy.

Huge blow to Enda Kenny too . . Clearly he had promised Lee something that he couldn't deliver !

Cant understand why he didnt stay as an Independent. Just said he is probably going back to RTE. What an institution RTE is-seemingly you can resign your job and even work for a competitor (Richard Crowley Marty) and come back. People give out about the Public sector but RTE are ludicrous! News at one hammered George. Well done. George I shook your hand once in Dundrum but you are now in political and economic commentary terms a joke.

Bad news for Enda not sure this will play out for him. FF vote will stabilise but only an idiot would think they will recover to above 27% Two reasons why not (and there are so many more)-Property Tax and water charges.

hallelujajordan · 08-02-2010 01:22PM

Jip wrote: »

Have RTE kept his position open ?

EDIT !! He has just been asked what he's going to do next and he said probably go back to RTE ? How the hell can he slip back in there considering his attitude to the organisation once he left ??

And how can he be an "independent voice" within our national broadcaster when he has just spent the last 9 months hammering the government from every angle he can . .

Red_Marauder · 08-02-2010 01:22PM

I have to say, for a man so exposed to the political system to resign from politics simply because he didn't get an immediate, grand promotion, is naive in the extreme.

Lee has been quite public over his disappointment about life as a back bencher, he didn't hid the fact that he felt he should have been entitled to more speaking time on NAMA than presumably his colleagues on the other back benches were afforded - perhaps his colleagues on the front benches even. But he's only been in there six months, did he expect to be Finance Minister by now?

It will be interesting to see where he goes from here... back to RTE? Life as a reporter would be hard to defend after a stint in Leinster House.

Amhran Nua · 08-02-2010 01:23PM

seamus wrote: »

If anything I think it will strengthen Kenny's position internally because he didn't "capitulate" and promote the best man for the job, instead opting to maintain the oligarchy/cronyism that rules FF & FG.

Externally, yes it does, because it makes it appear that Kenny decided to take on a "star" candidate purely for the additional Dail seat but didn't intend to actually make use of his experience - which is no doubt why a lot of people voted for him.

Thats a good analysis of the situation I would feel, given the experiences of myself and other members of AN in dealing with more established parties. Its almost impossible to make an impact on policy or ideas unless you're with the right family or from the right background within FF and FG, newcomers, even ones with the bona fides of Lee, have no chance of being heard.

This situation highlights the gulf between the elected and the electorate, I'm sorry to say, as if the backpedalling on the senior civil servants pay hadn't illustrated it enough.

Its a situation that must be addressed if we are ever to have a country that can be given the opportunity to reach its full potential.

NTC · 08-02-2010 01:24PM

He is on Newstalk now

Mr Velo · 08-02-2010 01:24PM

He's on the phone with Eamon Keane on newstalk right now.
Sounds bitter!

Big Lar · 08-02-2010 01:24PM

Joey the lips wrote: »

Very interesting. I reckon he is on his way to the greens.

In your dreams.................

Its intresting that for the mouthing he had on RTE about the correct way to run the country, Then when he got the chance the party that brought him into politics would not entertain any of his notions.

Jip · 08-02-2010 01:25PM

hallelujajordan wrote: »

And how can he be an "independent voice" within our national broadcaster when he has just spent the last 9 months hammering the government from every angle he can . .

Absolutely, he can't return to a position of a commentator of any sort when as you say he clearly isn't independent.

Deise Tom · 08-02-2010 01:25PM

Just goes to show that what I have been saying on another forum is true. Fine Gael are not good enough to lead the country.

Villain · 08-02-2010 01:25PM

imo I reckon Lee was betting on a General Election when he ran and thought he would be in Government as a Junior Minister by now. Life in opposition is rather tough and borring.

Slideshowbob · 08-02-2010 01:26PM

What does that say about FG!??

Red_Marauder · 08-02-2010 01:27PM

Deise Tom wrote: »

Just goes to show that what I have been saying on another forum is true. Fine Gael are not good enough to lead the country.

This has nothing to do with Fine Gael or FG policy.

It's a George Lee issue.

Easy come easy go.

dvpower · 08-02-2010 01:27PM

It looks like he expected too much, too soon. How did he expect as a new TD to shape FG economic policies in less than a year?

Fair play to him at least for resigning his Dail seat.

jhegarty · 08-02-2010 01:27PM

Deise Tom wrote: »

Just goes to show that what I have been saying on another forum is true. Fine Gael are not good enough to lead the country.

Because George Lee is Jesus ?

Jip · 08-02-2010 01:27PM

This story is getting tasty now ! Enda has mailed all the FG TDs saying he offered Lee a front bench role but wouldn't take it, Lee admitted to this but said it was only because he said he was leaving. Meow.

Villain · 08-02-2010 01:27PM

Deise Tom wrote: »

Just goes to show that what I have been saying on another forum is true. Fine Gael are not good enough to lead the country.

That may well be true but FF and the Greens certainly aren't, big winner here imo is Labour!

Dave! · 08-02-2010 01:28PM

Bit premature really, why did he expect to have any great influence in the party after 9 months? There's lots of educated Fine Gael TD's who have been there longer than he, and I'm sure they've got their own policy ideas that they'd like to see introduced. Did he expect to walk straight into a shadow ministry or something?

Tomk1 · 08-02-2010 01:28PM

on newstalk righth now

Big Lar · 08-02-2010 01:28PM

Red_Marauder wrote: »

It will be interesting to see where he goes from here... back to RTE?

What about the recruitment ban ???

Oafley Jones · 08-02-2010 01:28PM

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Thats a good thing though. FG are an awful party of the far right. I have more respect for the man now.

He could have still made a contribution as independent. If he hasn't the confidence in his own ability to facilitate change then he should have never ran in the first place. Listening to the news it comes across as someone who's thrown the toys out of the pram. Hugely disappointed in the way he has shirked his responsibility to the voters.

Hopefully this might be the end of Enda.

Jip · 08-02-2010 01:30PM

Big Lar wrote: »

What about the recruitment ban ???

His previous position should still be open, isn't there some rule that a position must be held for a certain period of time if you decided to leave for public office or something like that ?

Deise Tom · 08-02-2010 01:30PM

flanzer wrote: »

Massive blow for FG. They quite clearly don't have a clue how to run the country and George knows that. The only way they'll come good out of this is, if Enda resigns and takes most of the front bench with him

Anyone think that Enda Kenny and Eamon Guilmore can run this country are in cloud cockco-land.

efb · 08-02-2010 01:30PM

George Lee to FG- 'I'm a celebrity- get me outta here!!!'

George Lee resigns from Fine Gael and Dail!!!

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