Westmeath Fine Gael councillors put their support behind Harris

Fine Gael councillors in Westmeath are unanimously behind Simon Harris, who was appointed party leader in Athlone on Sunday.

All five said he is the right man to lead the country as Taoiseach while also paying tribute to their former leader of seven years, Leo Varadkar.

Minister Harris was praised by councillors for having visited Westmeath regularly over the years, most recently to announce funding for an EV Centre of Excellence in Mullingar last November.

Cllr Andrew Duncan told the Westmeath Examiner he “is the right man for the job at this time” and he hopes his appointment will realign the party’s focus.

“I really hope he brings our party back to the centre and focuses on the real issues that matter – housing, farming, the cost of living,” he said.

“We must support those who get up early in the morning and not the unwanted, irrational rubbish that some of our loony partners in government keep putting forward,” he said.

Cllr Emily Wallace said she has always found the soon-to-be Taoiseach “accessible and available,” also noting his strong performance in ministerial roles.

“What he’s doing for the higher education sector and apprenticeships has brought huge benefits to rural communities, allowing students to gain their qualifications in their local areas,” she said.

“As a mother of three, with one just exiting the university system, and another hopefully starting college, this year, I have first-hand experience of the difficulties parents face in sending children to college.

“In my opinion, Minister Harris has made massive changes to help families like mine and many others by cutting fees and making more options available to our children.”

Cllr Wallace also said he has an excellent grasp of social media which is essential to modern politics. “He’s the right person at the right time to engage more people with politics,” she said.

“My youngest has said to me he would vote for Simon Harris and it’s that engagement with young voters who are the future of our country which is vital.

“More and more people’s views are driven by what they see on social media these days, be it good or bad.”

Cllr Frank McDermott said Harris was in touch with the common man.

“I think he has a great vision of life; he has a tremendous knowledge of politics in Ireland and knows our people very well,” he said.

“He has a young family in an ordinary house and I think he will be a huge asset for Fine Gael in what is a bright time ahead for the party.

“I think he will benefit Fine Gael in the upcoming elections, we have a new image and direction from a younger man who is a powerful speaker a great communicator and equally good listener.”

Cllr John Dolan said the leadership change is important for the entire country.

“We need a good leader, not just for Fine Gael, but for the country, as the new leader will become Taoiseach,” he said. “Simon Harris will be a good leader, I have no doubt about that.

“He has great experience in different departments and from any dealings I’ve had with him he’s always done a great job.”

Cllr Tom Farrell said while “sorry” to see Leo Varadkar go, his successor will be a “unifying force in the party between young and old”.

“[Harris] will be one to take all the Fine Gael members’ views on board and a unifying force of our grassroots,” he said.

“Simon was a great reassurance to us during his time as health minister when Covid-19 hit and we relied on him for guidance and looked to him for support at that difficult time – I know many also took comfort from his daily briefings and his social media presence.

“I feel he will be a safe pair of hands and most importantly a good person to reset Fine Gael and push forward with local and European elections on the horizon.”

The Fine Gael councillors, aside from the retiring Cllr Frank McDermott, will be hoping to retain their seats on Westmeath County Council come local elections day on June 7.