Fine Gael has to ‘listen twice as hard as normal’ following Presidential election result

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Less than 48 hours after Heather Humphreys and Simon Harris went canvassing through the streets of Sligo town in the hope of securing crucial last minute votes, the mood amongst the Fine Gael contingent at the Sligo/Leitrim count centre was downbeat but they were nevertheless magnanimous in defeat.

Before assessing where it went wrong for his party, Deputy Frank Feighan was quick to pay tribute to Catherine Connolly on her resounding victory.

"Congratulations to Catherine Connolly and her team. They had a very impressive election. I noticed about two weeks ago we simply weren’t getting momentum with what I believe was an excellent candidate. That’s how Presidential elections work out and we have to dust ourselves off and again I congratulate Catherine Connolly and I wish her all the best as President of this great country.”

When asked if there was anything he would have liked to have seen Fine Gael do differently in the campaign Deputy Feighan replied, “I don’t think so. I think there was a resounding election for Catherine Connolly. I think there was a few things – there was an anti-government vote and an anti-establishment vote and the momentum with Gaza and it was a very difficult election for the two government parties.

“You had Mairead McGuinness stepping down but I don’t think Mairead McGuinness would have done any better Heather Humphreys in the current climate. Fianna Fail selected a candidate as well and that candidate stepped down, it certainly wasn’t ideal. The fact that there wasn’t enough names on the ballot paper, that resonated with our supporters and on the doorstep.”

One of the main talking points of the election was the number of spoiled votes with Deputy Feighan acknowledging the electorate delivered a message and that must be listened to.

On the subject of spoiled votes, Deputy Feighan said, “You have to deal with the issues that pertain in a very turbulent environment and you carry on but you have to listen to the people and on this occasion we have to listen twice as hard as normal.”