Joan Burton’s leadership style ensures Fine Gael keep guessing

Before Cabinet this week, as Minister for Finance Michael Noonan prepared to announce a commission of investigation into the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, Joan Burton made comments which led some in Fine Gael to roll their eyes skyward.

The Tánaiste was asked if she believed the existing inquiry, headed by the IBRC special liquidators, was wide enough to encompass any interest rate deals given to large borrowers.

Burton characterised the liquidators' inquiry as a scoping exercise which could be broadened into something wider, effectively repeating a line Government Ministers had stuck to since the initial investigation into the sale of Siteserv was announced.

However, once the comments were reported, many in Fine Gael interpreted it as Burton trying to pre-empt and take credit for the Government decision that was to follow.

"Joan trying to make it look like she was keeping Fine Gael honest," remarked one Minister from the senior party, while another accused her of "trying to put a Labour spin" on the announcement.

Labour sources insist the Tánaiste was not aware at that stage of Noonan’s plans but say she had similar ideas herself, and was still seeking input as the Cabinet was due to meet.

Yet the fact that many in Fine Gael suspected selfish motives illustrates a wider feeling across the higher levels of the Coalition: that the relationships at the top are trickier than they once were.

Fine Gael ministers suspect Burton of levering and delaying situations to benefit herself or Labour, which is hardly a cardinal sin for a politician leading an unpopular party into a general election.

The Coalition has been cohesive since Burton took over as leader and there have been fewer public fights than under the final months of Eamon Gilmore’s leadership. Ironically, the relationship between Kenny and Gilmore was remarkably solid, even as their staff and advisers found it more difficult to work together.

Manufactured

Fights and arguments – some manufactured, some real – made it into the media more than once. Burton has taken a different tack, sticking by Government decisions in order to claim credit for the recovery even if the personal relationships are not seen as solid. The Government as a whole is stronger, and working well.

“You never had any doubts about the stability of the relationship between Enda and Eamon,” said one source. “There is a nagging doubt with Joan. ‘Will something happen?’ is the type of question you hear being asked more and more.”

Others insist the working relationship is good, even if Burton and Kenny may not be the best of friends.

“Things are constructive, they arrive at decisions. There are some differences in terms of methods but nothing is insurmountable.”

The old criticisms of Burton, initially voiced from inside Labour, of indecision and an unwillingness to listen while also talking at length, have resurfaced.

The Economic Management Council meets less, primarily because the crisis has largely passed, but it is said to be harder to run when it does meet.

The length of time it took Burton to decide on the sale of the State's stake in Aer Lingus is cited as the most obvious example by her critics, with Fine Gael agreeing to numerous requests for clarification and assurances – such as on registered employment agreements for workers – to keep Labour and Burton onside.

Previously agreed

The reality of Coalition politics is that almost nothing is brought to Cabinet unless it has provisionally been agreed outside the room.

Ministers assumed Aer Lingus was a done deal when they heard it was coming to Cabinet but were surprised when the Tánaiste debated the issue at length, leading to an adjournment of the meeting and a late evening decision.

It was "Joan being Joan", as one Minister characterised it. "Yes. No. Maybe. I don't know. And so on." Another example mentioned is the compliance measures for water charges, which led to difficulties between Burton and Labour deputy leader Alan Kelly, who many believe will challenge for the leadership after the election.

Kelly’s plans to take unpaid bills from wages and welfare caused unease among some in Labour, and Burton told a meeting of her parliamentary party this could prove problematic. But what some call indecision, others call a distinct leadership style.

“She is doing well, the mood music is changing – in the party and in the country,” a Labour minister said. “She talks thing out, that’s the way she is. Some people call that indecisiveness, but it’s not. It’s inclusive. It just takes a while to get used to.”

Another source claimed indecisiveness arises on issues which are beyond her natural political outlook. “She struggles with decisions that wouldn’t be Labour Party decisions. She has difficulty in putting her conscience to one side when making those calls.”

Against those criticisms is the example of Burton’s predecessor, who announced this week he would retire from politics at the next election. Gilmore and Kenny remained tight even as Labour plummeted in the polls and headed for a drubbing at last year’s local and European elections.

A different leadership style could yield better results and some in Labour delight at Fine Gael’s unease with Burton, and its difficulty in understanding what she wants.

They hope such an approach could prove to be a winner as Labour tries to extract concessions ahead of the election.