Does Ireland have a Right Wing?
Ireland, perhaps the only country with a declining right which never had a left wing lead government.
There are no views in this, just observations, I don’t have an ideology to present so this article is not some meek form of right wing catharsis or left wing lauding the demise of the centre right, it's an Irish lad with a good understanding of Right Wing politics who observes Irish politics, or, the lack thereof.
Ireland was once renowned for its adherence to a conservative catholic ethos, contraception? Banned. A child out of wedlock? Magdalene Laundry. Light touch theocracy? Welcome to your mecca.
Ireland's relationship with conservatism was once tight. Most of our revolutionaries were obviously conservative, even James Connoly the militant socialist was certainly nothing like your post - tumblr modern leftist & perhaps the first Liberal in Irish politics was Garret Fitzgerald.
Our leading Right Wing figures of most notoriety are of course Dev & O’Duffy, both were corporatist authoritarians, both were instrumental in founding the two main Right Wing parties, Fine Gael (O’Duffy) & Fianna Fail (De Valera), both are seen as deeply reactionary & both expressed their admiration for Mussolini.
O’Duffy had an illustrious career in the civil service and rose through the ranks since his days as a servant of Gaelic football in his native Monaghan & De Valera is of course arguably the most important Taoiseach we ever had.
O’Duffy didn’t serve as long as Dev in the public realm as Dev served for a very long time, but once Dev released his firmly grasped hand on the mantle of power and passed the duty on to Sean Lemass, Ireland began its proto - liberalisation which became liberalisation by the 90’s.
Today O’Duffy & Dev are long gone & there parties are firmly progressives. Which had me thinking, does Ireland have a right wing? Then a few weeks ago I read Barry Walsh’s warning to Fine Gael about them being on the precipice of “wilderness years” & it seems I was not the only one thinking if we have a right wing.
Ireland is often lauded by.. well, itself.. for not partaking in the populist spring from 2015 until when the Coronavirus enmeshed Europe. The populist spring saw an unprecedented attack on the prevailing liberal cultural hegemony in Europe, it entailed anti - multiculturalism, anti - immigration, anti - austerity & anti - liberal social values to a certain extent. Britain had Brexit, Italy saw the meteoric rise of Matteo Salvini, Orban in Hungary consolidated his kleptocracy & the AfD in Germany made heads roll when it entered parliament as the 3rd largest party subsequently becoming the opposition, oh and of course, The Donald took the helm of the White House.
In the storm Ireland perched itself as an anti - right wing populist polity, with nothing consequential electorally happening remotely akin to the right wing surge on the mainland, instead, we opted for liberalising policies such as voting yes for gay marriage with a 62% percent win for the yes side then the divisive 8th Amendmant referendum which won by 64%, in almost all counties barring Donegal where “no” won by 2%, these very liberal reforms had the backing of the traditionally conservative/centre right parties Fianna Fail (partially) & Fine Gael who remodeled themselves as progressive centrists and showed great prescience in attaching themselves to the liberal reforms.
However it could be argued, it did not work out for them, in most counties in Ireland outside of the big cities between 30 - 42% voted against repealing the 8th Amendment, hot take incoming, these “no” voters likely voted for Fine Gael & Fianna Fail, and when I say likely, I mean definitely, as objectively, most do regardless.
Now the obvious has to be stated, the liberal left has decimated any semblance of a traditional catholic Ireland, but the liberal left which comprises all parties except Fianna Fail & Fine Gael are not entitled to this victory, not remotely, it was Fianna Fail & Fine Gael that did their work for them, not solely by campaigning for their causes but by doing nothing to counteract them when the liberals pushed further & presided over the state whilst it was happening.
What do I mean by this?
Well we need to acknowledge something only the politicians & media can shift; the overton window, which is in essence a frame that designates what is & is not acceptable political discussion in “polite society”, for example, you are not going to see Alex Jones being rolled out onto the Late Late Show to discuss 9/11 with Tubs, or less hyperbolically, we don’t discuss why Westmeath should annex Meath. The political & chattering class are given the privilege of steering the public conversation, which has ostentatiously drifted in a liberal - left direction, which should be anathema to a country which has been led by right adjacent parties since the states inception, the fact of the matter is, Fine Gael nor Fianna Fail done anything to stop it, in fact it was Tanaiste Leo Varadkar of Fine Gael who quipped; to paraphrase: “the Left call us conservative because their embarrassed we done more than them for progress”, Enda Kenny encouraged a “yes” for same sex marriage & Fianna Fail has not really done much in the past decade but they ushered in the economic liberalisation in the Lemass - Whitaker Revolution & the Celtic Tiger which brought great wealth & broad liberalisation, which some theorize ushers in Liberal societies, I reject this thesis on the basis of Saudi Arabia & Switzerland but Ireland perhaps was indicative of this theory.
Anyways, back to the Overton Window, which in Ireland forbids discussion on many issues & those who do engage in them get a socio - political cordon sanitaire like they were lepers, probably deservingly as they are out of touch or they have views which they poorly equivocate on or they speak directly when they should prevaricate.
The forbidden issues are of course, the EU, religion, gender issues etc: all the stuff that's discussed everywhere else but Ireland. Now you could argue “the country has made up its mind” well, it hasn’t, we give North Korean approval to the EU, this indicates to me a lacuna in public debate on the issue, (I am for a United Europe, and there's nothing to fear about a discussion on Europe, that's my only political opinion being shared), other social issues like negatively held views on Travellers is forbidden, perhaps for good reason, but when Paddy Casey did dip his toe in that toxic water he came second in the last presidential election circa 2018, albeit, with 16% of the vote but with the media & establishment against him. On the matter of the presidential election, who backed the incumbent former Labour party TD & subsequent winner of said presidential election Micky D? Well the obvious suspects, the Labour party of course, but who else? Fine Gael, who promoted the hashtag #keepthepoet ? Fine Gael.
Now this act of congeniality is very mature, but why? Why would a supposedly right wing, centre right or even centrist promote a former Labour party TD for president, this saccharin gesture would never be reciprocated. Now the office of president in Ireland is akin to the office of president in the United States post midterms, it is a lame duck, minus of course the doomsday button, so promoting a political opponent is not the political seppuku in Ireland it would be in say France as our president is a ceremonious role .However, when Gareth Fitzgerald morphed Fine Gael into a Liberal party, I don’t think he meant to become Tony Blair in blue shirts.
Back to the initial point of the Overton window, there has been virtually no debate on anything remotely conservative as long as I can remember, and my memory only extends to 2017 as prior to that apathy would be a generous way to describe my appreciation of politics. Perhaps Katie Hopkins on the Late Late Show was an exception but contrary to popular belief, hating darker skinned people is not intrinsic to right wing politics & John McGuirk on Prime Time debating lockdown is a far cry from a Socratic dialogue, in essence the little right wing political debate that slithered into the mainstream has been about as right wing as Che Guevara & the “debate” would leave someone less informed.
Where else has the Right Wing in Ireland fell shorts? Keep in mind, we have never had a left wing government.
Economy:
We have left wing tax rates with right wing redistribution & investment, a major grievance among the taxpayer is the fact they receive nothing for the revenue they generate. This country has lower taxes than France or Sweden, albeit not much lower, but in exchange for your hard earned money, you receive *drum roll* NOTHING!, contrasted with even the UK everyone is entitled to free healthcare, in Ireland, if you are in the top marginal tax bracket of the normal citizen (40%) then you will be paying at least €60 to see a GP, contrast with Sweden's top marginal tax rate (56%), you will at maximum pay €30 to see a GP and that price is moral hazard insurance to ameliorate the clogged up wards from children with runny noses.
The government puts emphasis on a tech sector more than happy to leave if things change drastically. Any politician must heed Machiavelli’s advice about the mercenaries vis a vis investors, know that they are there for profit, unloyal and will go to the highest bidder.
Freedom of expression: The old adage of “liberal democracy becomes more liberal and less democratic” rings true in Ireland. As I right this article and previous ones I have reread and rewrote countless times so to evade any potential employer construing I am some sort of right wing pundit as the subjects I specialise in are Right Wing Politics, Geo-Politics & Populism, not because I am an adherent of those things, but because they interest me, the fact I fear losing out on potential employment because of being a self - proclaimed wannabe journalist is astounding, some may disagree but I know this to be true, it is not an Irish phenomenon but in an environment where no politician or media outlet even odes to freedom of expression, one can fairly assess that the mantra of standing up and speaking your mind has been replaced with sitting down and shutting your mouth.
Law & Order: Ireland is a safe country for the most part, but those who commit heinous crimes, those caught in possession of child pornography & serial repeat offenders rarely receive the sentencing they deserve, anyone who's been outside knows 4 or 5 individuals who should be in jail but are instead lifting the paint off your walls..
Family: Once upon a time when I was a globetrotter, I was in a hostel and discussing Ireland, someone remarked “are you guys like Switzerland or something” the gist of what I am saying is, we're perceived as mega-rich, but you know who isn’t perceived as mega rich? Poland, but who has a better family policy? Poland, with its 500+ programme.
In Ireland, a “rich” country, the child benefit is €140 per child per month, in Poland, you get 500 zloty or €114 per month per child, which is almost as much as Ireland, but €114 in Poland will get you much more than in Ireland, when Ireland's median monthly wage is about €3500 p/m
and Poland’s is about €1100 p/m, if not less, it could be construed that Poland provides a superior service. €114 in Poland will get you the goods, €140 in Ireland will get you to the shop. However, in comparison to many countries in Europe, much richer and more industrious (i.e they have an economy that isn’t predicated on US companies) their children's allowance seemed to be drafted by Cavan Co.Council.
Is There A Right Wing?
I don’t think so. There is no silent majority in Ireland, there is no real big difference between someone from Dublin City Centre & Mullingar barring an accent, some, particularly in Dublin may be more Liberal than someone who frequents Mojo’s, but where they would differ in conversation is likely on multiple genders or cancel culture. Whilst the Irish left with a Lenin complex envision Ireland as a right wing country, they would need a De - Lorean for them to know what Right Wing is (It isn’t Neo - Liberalism), and whilst the unvocal right likes to envision a silent majority of Church going Catholics & conservatives opposed to a changing Ireland, in totality, it just isn't there, 1% in the last GE viewed immigration as a primary concern, going to church is a catwalk, dress good, show the neighbourhood, we may believe in god but we have more in common with Bosniak muslims than with the Vatican, our day to day conservatism is moderate, dare I say were majority centrist. Now there is a rejection of more radical liberal politics which is wrote off as “pure sh*t”.
Below is a NewsTalk graph towards refugees in Ireland, does this look like a conservative polity? Note the 35% of 45 - 54 year olds who believe there are too many, this demographic is the backbone of conservatism & such a small amount having a conservative position is indicative of the lack of conservatism in Ireland. (I would note there is nothing intrinsic to Right Wing Politics that is anti - refugee, compassionate conservatism exists)
Will there be a Right Wing resurgence?
It depends.
As the country verges into a more liberal direction it is opening the door like a gentleman for a right wing conservative comeback, especially on the economic front, I know plenty of people who’s biggest grievance with tax is that they receive nothing in return.
There is no cult of trickle down economics in Ireland, when it comes to taxes, its truly bread & butter concerns.
Regarding culture, there is not much of a right wing cultural movement, some may label the lockdown protests as inherently right wing, they aren’t, some politicos sensationalise a far right surge, there is not, the far right reads Juilus Evola & René Guénon, not pretends to have read 1984..
Where there is a right wing attitude is in class politics, many in the middle class begrudge the working class as “dole merchants” & uncivilised, but nobody venerates the billionaires, in fact most don’t know our richest person.
To summarise:
The Right Wing in Ireland is in purgatory, with the cultural hegemony being firmly liberal there is a vacuum to be filed, it wont come from the far - right in the National Party or the right in Renua, it will come from within Fine Gael or Fianna Fail, just as these parties have been pushed towards the centre by the left they will be pushed to the right by the public.
There is an appetite in Ireland for lower taxes or something in return, more hot topics in the public debate & a discussion on immigration, you wouldn’t know it because the credible parties don’t partake in such debate, but it is there, my source?: Trust me bro.
.