Politics in Fine Gael these days is all about a good chat-up line. Each candidate for the presidency of the youth branch of the party had one when they addressed 400 delegates at its annual conference in Dublin on Saturday, and the party leader had ones for the people and for Labour, his possible partner in a future coalition.
The presidential candidates' chat-up lines varied from "Hey, would you like to start a political dynasty?" to "Would you allow your nice blouse get closer to a blue shirt?"
The successful candidate was Aida Goold (21), from Charleville, Co Cork, who is the party chairwoman in UCC. Mr Bruton's line for the people was that he had a new plan for the State, while he spoke to Labour about how well the Rainbow Coalition had worked. "No coalition had done that since 1977," he said, recalling unhappy times in the past between Fianna Fail and the PDs.
"We do not succumb to the mean-spirited, insular and arrogant view of Fianna Fail that `when in doubt, leave them out', or which patronises smaller parties as being part of a `temporary little arrangement'."
The mood of the conference was lively and upbeat, with delegates, under the watchful eye of national youth officer, Joanne Harmon, debating a number of lengthy policy documents. Mr Bruton was loudly applauded and was given a standing ovation, impressing the delegates with a lively, witty speech, which poured scorn on the Taoiseach and the Government.
A cautious note was sounded by some delegates. Michael Scanlon (Dublin South) said: "We are too contented about our situation. We are a party languishing in the polls, seen to be content to be the official opposition party for another four years. It is 1982 since we last won a general election. That was over 17 years ago. I celebrated my second birthday then."
Charles Daly (Duhallow, Co Cork) said: "We in Young Fine Gael must produce a new image that is fun, interesting and exciting. We must convince as many young people as possible that Young Fine Gael is the ultimate youth group to be part of."
Although Fianna Fail was the subject of much criticism by delegates, Dublin South West TD Brian Hayes appeared to apply to his party the description of a "slightly constitutional party" once given to the Soldiers of Destiny by Sean Lemass. When Yvonne Mullen (UCD) warned that introducing rent controls would be unconstitutional, he remarked: "That never stopped this party."
