Bacik must broaden appeal if she’s to avoid political fading

World of Politics with Harry McGee

Ivana Bacik has been the Labour leader for a week, so it’s a bit early to write her off – but judged on her first seven days in the job it is not boding well. I heard her giving one press conference and two interviews. The first interview was by Sarah McInerney on Drivetime. McInerney’s style is Paxman-esque and she does not leave many hostages to fortunes. The second interview was with Gavan Reilly on Newstalk on Sunday morning.

On all three occasions, Bacik seems to have taken her cue from old episodes of Yes Minister, or the Carr School of plausible political deflection.

Carr Communications has long prepped politicians for grillings on television and was blamed (unfairly) for advising ministers to use the following formula when asked an awkward question: ‘I am glad you asked that question’. And then deliver a generality.

Bacik refused to talk about the details of the palace coup that saw Labour Party TDs and Senators hold a weekend meeting discussing how to take out Alan Kelly. She said she would not talk about it, and it was time to move on.

She has been on leave of absence from Trinity College since 2020 but has refused to say whether she would give up that safety net of retaining the leave of absence.

It’s one thing being a member of the Dáil and Seanad, it’s quite another being the leader of a party. By her refusing to say, it raises questions about if she is giving ‘full in’ commitment to the leadership of the party if her old job is being held open for her.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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