How about Eddie Hobbs for our next MOF?

A very balanced profile of him by Conor Pope in today's Irish Times

Eddie Hobbs: a salesman who’s best at selling himself

This dexterity has allowed him to comfortably castigate government ministers and their quangos one minute, and accept a seat on the board of just such a quango the next.
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I wonder what quango he is on?

Some quangos are absolutely essential, so there is no inconsistency in criticising some and defending others.

He was on the National Consumer Agency, for which he was eminently qualified. I don't think it paid very much.

He was also, briefly, on the Consumer Panel of the Financial Regulator, which did not pay at all.

Brendan
 
I saw Eddie on the News last night and true to form he shot himself in the foot again through his own mouth. We've seen all this before. Remember the Progressive Decocrats? This bunch will go the same way.
 
d
Brendan Burgess said:
To be fair, that was a long time ago - 26th December
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Who was it said "a week is a long time in politics"?

I really can't see this party going anywhere. Comparison with the PDs is off the mark. Dessie O'Malley, himself a formidable politician, had assembled other heavyweights for his party's launch. Charles Haughey was seriously flawed (to be generous to the dearly departed) and comparing Henda with him is also very wide of the mark. Furthermore the PDs had a very coherent policy on social and economic matters and definitely set daylight between themselves and FF/FG.

Considering that all Lucy could put up was an obscure rural independent and a maverick celebrity, I would say zero seats at the next election. Eddie will see the writing on the wall and won't even run. I have noted this post for a future "I told you so"
 
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Hi Duke

Duke of Marmalade said:
I would say zero seats at the next election.
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I would think that Lucinda will easily get elected in her constituency.
If Eddie stands, he would get elected fairly easily as well.

I doubt if their personal popularity would spread to unknown candidates though.

Brendan
 

Hi Duke, I agree with most of what you said but "PD's had a very coherent policy . . . and definitely set daylight between themselves and FF/FG"

You're right again the PD's no longer exist and FG and FF are still around; quite a bit of light between them now.
 
With the strong move to the centre-left by all of the main parties and the emergence of the anti-reality independents, well into the la-la-land spectrum of the left, there is a gap for a centre-right party.
No party has the courage to tackle the inefficiencies, waste and general poor value for money we get from our taxes as there are far too many votes in the public and semi-state sectors but until that’s done we are hamstrung as a nation when competing internationally. That’s not what the Left wants to hear but trade and competitive advantage is what generates the income which pays for public services.
 
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Dont worry lad and lasses,Mr Noonan is cutting USC and tax again this year so we will all be millionares this time next year.

Let the good times roll so.

Youd know it was election time again,wouldnt you.
 
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In all fairness, who could vote for a party that couldn't figure what to call itself before it launched?

Marion
 
It's very clever. They are going to run a competition to name the party. Mobile texts cost €1 etc. I thought "Anti-choice" was obvious.
 
While I strongly disagree with Lucinda on social issues I do think a party that is seeking to raise the money for necessary social outcomes through sound economic practices rather than political populism would make a welcome change to what's on offer at the moment.
The country has drifted strongly to the left over the last few years. I'd like to see a step away from big government. Not for ideological reasons but because the state has demonstrated again and again over decades that it is not competent at legislating, regulating, educating or healing its people. If it was I'd be all in favour of it doing more.
Anybody who says they will make competent and efficient public administration a priority will get my vote.
 
I must say that Fintan O'Toole has warmed me to the new party. He is trying to highlight the distinctions between Lucinda and Eddie. But I agree with Eddie and if he can move the economic thinking in the following direction, I would vote for him,despite his faults:

That is a good enough policy to be going on with.

Lucinda was very clear in a radio interview that people would be free to vote on social matters according to their conscience. I, too, would disagree with her on social issues, but if she moves to the right on economic issues, it would be good for the country.
 
I know you are being a tad tongue in cheek there boss
I'm not a great fan of FOT, or lefty pseudo intellectuals in general, but he certainly exposed huge inconsistencies between Lucy and the Hobbit. I think the Hobbit will turn out to be a big liability if this party gains any traction, but of course it won't.

You just don't make those outlandish assertions (Vichy etc.) if you want to be taken seriously as a politician.
 

Sounds quite like a new PD party to me, and it would get my vote too.
 
O'Toole really went to town on him yesterday- the sub-heading when the story initially came out even referred to the Cape Verde investment push by Hobbs....though I see the Times has dropped that now!!!

Very agressive tackle from a man who got cold feet just before the last GE
 
Interesting to see Lucinda calling for Trade Unionists to join her crusade as part of the " group of leaders " - I wonder did she run that one past Eddie ?
 
Fintan is a custodian of the Left-wing consensus that is no pervasive within the Irish Media so it's hardly surprising that he has a bee in his bonnet about a centre-right option in Irish politics.
 
Duke of Marmalade said:
he certainly exposed huge inconsistencies between Lucy and the Hobbit. I think the Hobbit will turn out to be a big liability if this party gains any traction, but of course it won't.
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But Duke, there is no harm in having inconsistencies between two different people, at two different times. I wouldn't join a party, because my views would be so contrarian on many issues. Eddie is not just contrarian, he is outspoken. It will make it difficult, but I would imagine that they will be able to reach some sort of rough agreement.


Having said that, Eddie might be that bit too arrogant for a political party. He is a bit like Peter Mathews in that regard. I am always right and no one else knows what they are talking about". Of course, Eddie is entertaining, while Peter is just extremely boring and annoying.

Brendan
 
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