Bruton - a great new prospect, once the public gets to know him

JOHN BRUTON was spotted strolling around Leinster House yesterday, looking very pleased with himself. But some of the younger FG deputies found his presence a little confusing, what with discovering that the former taoiseach and party leader has just made a shock return to national politics.

Head office has produced a glossy leaflet extolling the Government’s achievements and a template was sent this week to all its TDs and Senators.

It’s a nice production, laid out clearly on a background of soothing party blue and headed “Fine Gael in Government: Delivering for You.” You wouldn’t believe the great works already wrought by Enda and his people. “In the few short months since taking office we have already taken big steps to put the country back on track.” Jobs, banking, public finances, reform, fairness and progress . . . they’ve done loads, and it’s all on the leaflet.

When this production is pushed through letterboxes around the country, voters will marvel at all the “big steps” before their eyes land on the picture of their local Fine Gael representative, without whom none of this would have been possible.

On the head office copy, the future of Fine Gael – a smiling, fresh-jowled young parliamentarian – beams out at readers. It is “John Bruton, TD”. A great new prospect, once the public gets to know him.

We hear he already has a great welcome for himself. He was in Blanchardstown last weekend canvassing for the party’s presidential candidate.

He kept accosting people with the words: “Can I introduce you to Gay Mitchell?” To which one lady replied: “And who are you?”