Honesty

20th February, 2011

I have been struck on the doorsteps by how voters respect politicians who are honest about the scale of the problems we face. So too has it been seen in the national campaign. Enda’s assertion in the Leaders’ Debate that everyone will have to share the pain was strikingly honest and struck a chord.

Michael Noonan’s stature grew even greater when he said we faced a difficult few years. And Richard Bruton’s comments during the week that redundancies in the public service were vital rung true with many voters.

If we are elected next weekend- and it is still an “if”- we will have a mandate based on an honest appraisal of the difficulties that lie ahead. It might cost us the odd vote here and there but ultimately we will be better placed to take the necessary steps to turn this country around.