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This piece was first published on 11 January, following Lucinda Creighton’s official announcement. It is republished here on the day she launches Renua Ireland.
A FORMER GOVERNMENT high-flyer takes a career leap-of-faith by setting up her own tiny political party — teaming up with a financial guru who may or may not run in the upcoming general election.
The launch of the grouping dominates the political news agenda.
But after an initial, fleeting surge of interest, serious doubts are raised over whether nascent movement (which describes itself as neither ‘left nor right’) can make any significant impact on the polls.
Sounds a little familiar doesn’t it?
Alright, alright…
You may well have noticed that we chose to highlight certain salient facts in that truncated description of Lucinda Creighton’s Renua Ireland.
The broad strokes of the story, you see, have some striking parallels with events that played out in the fictional corridors of power stalked by Birgitte Nyborg in critically-lauded Danish TV show Borgen.
Like The Killing and The Bridge before it, the series garnered a huge following outside of Scandinavia (it was shown on BBC4 and TG4 in this part of the world) including quite a few fans inside Leinster House.
At the start of the third and final series, former Prime Minister Nyborg is a political has-been, sitting on the odd board and delivering the occasional lecture.
But after becoming concerned about the current direction of her old party (the Moderates) she publicly challenges its leader. Her career relaunch doesn’t go quite to plan, however — she ends up losing the leadership vote, before deciding to strike out on her own.
So.
With a general election on the cards over the next 12 months — what’s in store for Lucinda and co, as they go toe-to-toe with the big boys of Irish politics?
Obviously, its anyone’s guess. While there’s been criticism over a lack of detail from the Renua camp until today, polls have shown there’s clearly an appetite for a new political party.
Writing in the Irish Times, Fintan O’Toole called them “a solution in search of problems”. We’ve decided to expand on that theme by seeking an answer to a question almost nobody has been asking…
What can the country’s newest political party learn from series 3 of Borgen?
Birgitte gets off to a thumping start as she goes about setting up her centrist ‘New Democrats’ — but after picking off a couple of middle-ranking ex-Moderates, the recruitment process starts to go a little pear-shaped. Can the defiant politicians land a big hitter from the other side of the aisle, in order to truly stake a claim for the middle-ground of national politics?
Well, yes. Yes, of course they can — sure there’s nine more episodes left to go.
After much tension and intrigue, the deputy leader of the New Right makes a last minute appearance at the group’s big media launch, having fallen out with his old party over immigration.
While all this is going on, the ex-PM’s oldest political ally Bent Sejrø (above) crops up occasionally to try and stop Birgitte from “breaking up the old band” (we’re trying to remember direct quotes from memory — never a good idea) but in a surprise twist, decides to get on board with the new venture at the tail-end of episode two.
Birgitte’s plucky but cash-strapped start-up leases what looks like a former meth lab in an unfashionable part of town as its new HQ, and sets about business.
Soon the office is swamped with eccentrics, single-issue activists and political fan-boys — hoping to hitch their own their own idiosyncratic wagons to the former premier’s star.
After arguments break out over who should pay for the coffee, Birgitte decides to assert her leadership, by telling them all, essentially, to feck-off.
In typical Borgen fashion, she tells them via a lovely speech.
The Birgitte gang scores a further coup when economist Søren Ravn (above) agrees to run as a candidate (he’s the financial guru we mentioned at the start of this — although we should point out that aside from being a well-known face making his first steps in the political arena, the similarities with Eddie Hobbs pretty much end right there). The media begin to scrutinise his past as soon as the announcement is made, and before you can say ‘Vladimir Putin’ suddenly people are speculating that Ravn could be a former KGB agent.
In an act unlikely to be replicated by any Leinster House press officers in the near to medium future, the New Democrats’ head of communications Katrine Fønsmark (also above) tracks down an ex-KGB boss who says the economist never worked for them, even though his best friend did.
Deciding he prefers not to have reporters trawling through his private life 24/7, Ravn decides not to run for office, and slopes off back to academia. However, Katrine manages to tempt him back* later in the series to act as an advisor.
*Yes, they have sex. This is a Scandinavian TV drama.
As competition between the New Democrats and Birgitte’s old party, now led by Jacob Kruse (smug, wears a lot of polo-necks) intensifies, it soon becomes evident there’s a mole in the office… Someone from the ND inner circle is passing on policy plans while they’re still being worked on — and the Moderates are stealing a march on Birgitte and co by announcing them before the ex-PM has a chance to make it to a microphone.
But where is the leak coming from? Once again, it’s Katrine to the rescue — she hatches another cunning plan that involves stealing everyone’s phones.
As the series hurtles to a close, Kruse finally shows his true colours in a live TV debate — revealing a nasty, irascible side that immediately turns-off floating voters, and clears the way for a New Democrat victory. Birgitte’s party has made huge gains from a standing start — and with an impressive 13 seats, she’s the star of Danish politics once again (hurrah?).
The poor woman’s on the phone non-stop as rival party leaders scramble to put together a workable coalition. But will she join the left-leaning ‘red’ group, or the right-leaning Blues?
After a series of clandestine meetings beside dimly-lit fountains, it appears, for a brief moment, that our heroine might once again have a shot at the prime minister’s office (it gets very complicated — particularly if you happen to be a purist and insist on watching the thing without the aid of subtitles).
Eventually, though, the deal is done. Birgitte settles for the ministry of foreign affairs, as her party enters government as a junior coalition partner.
“That’s the best gig going!” Bent Sejrø tells her (words to that effect, anyway).
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… she needs to get some policies first!
She spent 10 minutes waffling to B O’Connor last night, avoiding answering any question
Whatever policies they come up with will need to be underpinned by banking reform,as the circulation of money touches every part of our society.They will need to examine closely an alternative way to secure our economy from the private banking system that has bled Ireland dry while our politicians look on with wilful blindness or maybe they’re just inept, as Nyberg highlighted in his report. Wait and see what’s being brought to the table ie banking in the public’s interest.
Maybe have separate investment banks and savings banks
Spot on,you are thinking along the right line there,Many models of public banks exist that suit different countries/economies,and have many merits,two of which is ownership (by the people) and also the interest/Profit is returned to the economy.Globaly,40% of banking is public banking and compete successfully with the private banking system.
Big Willy: Separating savings from investment or merchant from retail banking only helps to protect a govt from having banks that are too big to fail. Bailouts are still inevitable.
It does not address the root problem that banks are in fact strategic infrastructure, and maybe we should consider keeping them nationalised.
However in this country we also need reform on the relationship between govt and semi-state. At the moment, a minister can appoint board members, but have no say in their remuneration, cannot fire them and can not influence policy.
The appointment to Semi-state bodies under the conditions you have set would suggest that the legislation was written to suit the boards and not the state – There may be a conflict with the constitution if that is the case. For the government are the link between the sovereign people(Article 6) and their property.
Furthermore it should be pointed out that the Independence of Judges guaranteed in the Constitution does not guarantee them independence from the law or the sovereign people.
Their word in law is subject to it being a good word as it were. Should there be sanctions against judges who have their decisions overturned in a Higher Court ? Should the same principle be applied to senior civil servants/politicians who may have steeped out side the bounds of the conditions of their employment ? Should minimum sentence be applied for certain breaches ? Embezzlement being one example where minimum sentencing might apply. I t is very easy to defraud the system if you know you aren’t going to jail. Law should also fullfill the function of deterrent within a society.
There is a very good argument for separating the Judiciary from the Dail and Cabinet. The same however should not apply to the relationship between Ministers and the commercial bodies they have responsibility for.
Yes – there are sanctions when a semi state board member breaks the law eg. fraud.
But what about when that body stops acting in the public interest? Or when they are found to be inept? Or when they vote themselves bonuses when the company makes a loss?
At the moment, the govt can do little about it.
The Roman Catholic Church Party…no thanks we have had enough of that lot already…
I don’t trust her whatsoever, she is as cute as a lorry load of foxes! Not to be trusted in my opinion!
I’d like to personally thank her for setting up another party made to be ignored at the poll station
I await with disinterest Lucinda’s declaration of what exactly she stands for…..yaaaaawwwwwn. just another jobbing politican looking to elbow into the trough.
Why doesn’t Lucinda consider an Alliance with Shane Ross, and his friends in the Dail, to assemble a true reform party? Both have been banging on for ages about need for reform within various aspects of Politics and Public Sector. Surely, there’s a chance of progress here if her numbers are strong and credible from the outset.
Lucinda, as a sincere thirty something idealist, needs to surround herself with experienced old hands for her new political game, otherwise she’ll be in the Political wilderness in jig time.
Her friend Eddie likes sitting on the fence, so where’s the momentum going to evolve from for progressing her plans?
Too many chiefs emerging and not enough injuns!
Rory Shane Ross is far too intelligent for the likes of Lucinda. He would run a mile from this fiasco.
Name for party, Hobbs Nobbs.
The only policy Lucinda highlighted was the total Anti-Abortion policy with no exceptions. Most people of course are anti-abortion but we have been given enough info in the last couple of years that of course there are valid exceptions. Otherwise Lucinda has no policies. Her Financial partner seems unsure himself of what he’s getting into saying he doesn’t know if he will run. If he’s not sure there’s not much hope for others to be passionate. I think I’d give Shane Ross a go first.
Creighton.
Reminds me of Guinness, tastes of nothing so as to appeal to the masses!
Eugene- I agree about Lucinda , but disagree about Guinness.
I still feel that it’s a very high quality product, with a great flavour .
As for Lucinda, I have come to the conclusion that her “launch” of “her” Party was now just all about being ‘out of traps’ before other new Political Groupings , last week .
It reeks of pure panic, on her part and it shows .
Her choice of the ‘know all’ Eddie Hobbs as Co-Pilot ,was and is, a disaster already , as Eddie , as she is , all over the shop.
I’m delighted personally, as it’s likely really , that the only damage she will do, is to Fine Gael and Enda !
Interesting days ahead?
The only place she willgo with Eddie Hobbs is to a time-share in Tenerife. The pair of them should set up a business there.
Eddie is just a face who some people like, without him no one would care… And tonight he pretty much said he has to run his business and will be hands off.., a cameo role…
If lucinda wants to get into government she should join the noisey neighbours Sinn Fein
Japers, this is a really thin excuse to get yet another mention for Lucinda and the invisible party. zzzzzz
I don’t know how many pairs of shoes she has, But her collection of flip-flops is impressive.
But sure what can you expect from an Endaphile.
If she loves Borgen so much, she should pack up and emigrate to Denmark and give us all a break!
LovesEnda Cretin.
you are scraping the barrel with this non story Mr Brophy.
Big time.
Give us a break from this publicity-seeking bore!
Everyone knows that Birgitte is real while Lucinda is just a figment of her own imagination.
How could we get John McGuinness, chairman of the PAC elected as Taoiseach? Since he was first elected he has been fearless in exposing and tackling waste and even his own party. A hero in my book.
A FFer Liam … No thanks .
I totally agree
McGuinness is the one TD despised by Bertie Ahern and kicked out by Brian Cowen.
He walked the streets of Dublin all friendless and alone that time, like a leper, the time they were selling Ireland to the bankers, he was the Voice in the Wilderness preaching time and time again about the way his own government was destroying the country , and devastatingly he was right
Yes, but if you go right back he has never been afraid to take on his own leadership or the establishment including the public sector, the real insiders, at the risk of being thrown out. Unfortunately since Sean Lemass the glickeens got hold of the party and they lost their way as the true Labour Party. There isn’t another TD in the Dail with that record. The blessed Lucinda followed all her party’s policies until their approach to abortion didn’t suit her and they wouldn’t allow a free vote. If they had she’d still be in there not tackling waste and reform like the rest of them. I suggest you go back to read up on McGuinness” record.
Only way lucinda will get into the dail is to ask to visit the next taoiseach gerry adams
Did anybody hear Terry Flanagan on RTE radio couldn’t answer the simplest of question and he is on 100+k a year
FG lite
The PDs are back and repackaged with a new name, neither left or right apparently just another right wing party looking for the popular vote.
Daragh, was there not an article in very similar vein here just a short time ago? That article was also a thin attempt to wedge even more Lucinda into the forum :-(
Where was the spoiler alert! You just ruined the next general election for me!
I wonder will Mary Lou ever grow a spine and start her own party?
Whatever the reason, Lucinda exited FG based on her principles.
Mary Lou would still be brainlessly fawning over Sinn Fein no matter what skeleton falls out of the closet next, nor what victim comes forward next seeking some sort of accountability.
I wish her well; obviously she will not get enough votes to gain a seat but if it helps in reducing the vote for Fine Girl then Opus Gayle will be a ‘success’. Because support for her Tea and Scone party are only going to come from that portion of the electorate who would never vote for socialist Independents or Sinn Fein and would rely on the traditional right wing ‘traditional’ catholic (ah! sure you’re a lovely fine girl to your mammy) parties.
Do we want her in government ?
No fianna gael to the core who doesn’t like abortion
Would ye fook off with the lucinda stories.
I will double what ever she is paying ye
Quite easily – even after FF wrecking the country they will still get around 20% of the vote – so it shouldn’t be much of a problem for Lucinda to find a cohort of voters who share her 1950′s views.
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