I was listening to George Hook on Newstalk as we were travelling down from Dublin. He was broadcasting from San Francisco and he was chatting about some politician and he described him as being a “Leo Varadkar type of politician“.
Immediately you know that he means a politician who will give a straight answer to a question when asked.
When you think about it this is quite an incredible and simple attribute to be known for!
In assigning such an attribute to a politician you would imagine that no one single name should stand out – surely there are plenty who demonstrate this attribute on a regular basis either currently or in the past? Can we name them?
In truth there should be so many with this quality, that describing the straight talking/answer a question when asked attribute by mentioning a single politicians name would be confusing!
How is it that the youngest member of the Irish Government carries this torch?
Is it youth, is it not enough time in politics to be ultra cautious, is it a lack of fear of making an error against party policy, is it 100% confidence in his own ability and capability, is it not caring too much about politics and being prepared to simply say it as it is?
Is it his upbringing or the career he had before he became a full time politician – he lived in a relatively good part of Dublin, he studied medicine in Trinity and he worked in hospitals before opting for General Practice.
As a doctor do you get used to answering questions when asked?
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar of the Fine Gael party was appointed by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny in March 2011. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 2007 and prior to this is served as a member of Fingal County Council since 2003. He received the highest vote in Ireland in the Local Elections of 2004.
Did his constituents like him because they saw him as someone who was prepared to answer their questions?
It is a great thing to see him doing really well and to see someone with these attributes progressing effectively in the Government but it is a very poor reflection on our recent political history that being prepared to answer a question is something that makes you unique!
Is there a lesson in this for all our politicians?
Is there a lesson in this for all of us?
Greg Canty is a partner of Fuzion
Fuzion are a Marketing, PR and Graphic Design agency in Ireland with offices in Cork and Dublin
Tags: Cork, Dublin, fine Gael, Fuzion, George Hook, Greg Canty, Leo Varadkar
Greg Canty Fuzion Blog 
April 4, 2014 at 10:20 am |
It’s probably a combination of all of the above. He certainly has that X factor and he is very likeable. I would love to see him as Minister of health, that’s a tough job!
April 7, 2014 at 9:47 am |
Antoinette – that seems to be the one job that finishes everyone!
November 14, 2017 at 11:59 am |
Yes, actually answering (not evading) the question and in plain English (with the intent to communicate, not obfuscate) – probably his defining (and differentiating) attribute.
November 14, 2017 at 1:28 pm |
You are right Bernard !