[Irish_Thatcherite]

I really don't understand why Fine Gael don't brand themselves as a conservative party (in the past it was Ireland's GOP) - it may be because they don't want to screw their chances with a coalition with Labour (and they can't stop fantasizing about another 'Rainbow Coalition'), and also the party was hijacked by liberals like Jim Higgins, Gay Mitchell and Francis Fitzgerald.

But at least now grassrooters like myself have a vote for deciding the Leadership of the Party - which will solve Fine Gael's old problem of been out of touch and aloof, and the political ideology of the party would have to reflect the opinions of ordinary Fine Gaelers - and Fine Gael voters are the most conservative of all Irish voters

[Irish_Thatcherite]

One other point - the main reason Fine Gael became a liberal party is because of Garret Fitzgerald - as Eoghan Harris once said:

"He was best thing and worst thing to happen to Fine Gael."

[Colosis]

I don't know about Fine Gael. Their anti-war stance made me want to throw up. Anyway Fine Gale in government means labour and other leftys in government. Happygal is right, it's time for another party. I mean, Bertie proclaiming himself a socialist - c'mon.