FINE Gael's 'long-term viability' is at risk if it does not address how it is perceived by voters, a stark new internal report has warned.
The Commission for the Renewal of Fine Gael's review – which has been obtained by the Mail – warns that 'many people do not have a clear idea of what Fine Gael is about'.
The document warns that the public does 'not realise' what Fine Gael stands for, with the party's messaging making it sound 'detached, managerial or defensive' when talking about key issues.
The emergence of the report comes as a motion calling on Fine Gael to clearly define itself as a party of the 'centre right' is set to be debated at its ard fheis in Cork this weekend.
The 97-page report – which was sent to party members on Monday – was commissioned by Fine Gael leader and Tánaiste Simon Harris in the aftermath of the last general election. It engaged with members of the parliamentary party, staff members, activists and the broader general public.
Crucially, it points to a detachment with how the party is being understood by the public. 'The findings point to a clear gap between how Fine Gael understands itself and how it is perceived by the public, with consistent calls across staff, members and public representatives for a clearer, more emotionally resonant articulation of the party's identity, a more assertive reform agenda, and better communication of existing values,' it says.
The report found that there is 'a significant gap between how the party understands itself and how it is perceived by the public
The report found – from interviews with Fine Gael's parliamentary party, workshops with staff, trustees, councillors, and external observers – that there is 'a significant gap between how the party understands itself and how it is perceived by the public, revealing a disconnect that threatens the party's long-term viability if left unaddressed'.
And on the views of party members, it says: 'Party members had the same concerns as staff and councillors about the need for the party to clarify its identity. They wanted to see a party that was more assertive and with a strong agenda of reform.'
A staff survey also showed that there were 'significant issues of party identity and clarity in messaging'. Fine Gael needs to 're-establish a positive, assertive sense of purpose' that can strengthen the party's connection with people, the report says.
Grace Boland TD chaired a group that fed into the final report
The report also describes how the party communicates with the public as a 'clear issue', with the research criticising its 'managerial or defensive' tone. 'The party has developed a tone that projects competence, responsibility and economic stewardship. While this can be reassuring in some circumstances, it can also come across as detached, managerial or defensive when people are frustrated about issues such as housing, healthcare and the cost of living,' it states.
It also notes: 'Our public representatives come from our communities, and how they communicate should reflect that they are communicating with neighbours. Communications will be most effective when they relay an authentic message rather than providing a public performance.'
Entitled 'An Ireland Alive With Possibility: Fine Gael's Programme For Renewal', the wide-ranging report focuses on organisation, vision and values and constituencies.
Party grandee Charlie Flanagan was deeply involved in the report's preparation
The Commission for the Renewal of Fine Gael, which comprised 31 members and compiled the report, is chaired by Mark FitzGerald, of estate agents Sherry FitzGerald and the son of former taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald. Grace Boland TD and former TDs Olwyn Enright and Charlie Flanagan chaired sub-committees of the group.
The party is hovering at around 15% in national polling at present but in the foreword Mr FitzGerald says that Fine Gael has now set itself a target of winning 25% of voters at the next general election. He also said: 'Throughout this process, people told us that we have not always listened as closely as we should, or explained our decisions as clearly as we might.'
The report also looks into candidate selection and how the party operates at a local level, warning that 'fairness and the integrity' of internal decision-making were essential to local cohesion and electoral performance.
Former TD Olwyn Enright chaired a sub-committee that helped compile the report
'Candidate selection and strategy processes must be, and must be seen to be, impartial. Conflicts of interest can undermine confidence, discourage potential candidates and create divisions that persist into election campaigns.'
The report recommends that a working group be set up on 'election ill-discipline' to recommend processes and responses during and after campaigns. Elsewhere, it also notes that the staff of TDs and ministers should not take up roles on officer boards or strategy committees 'in order to avoid undue influence'.
The report also said that some constituencies 'face declining membership, inactive branches, gaps in officer roles, weak succession planning or an excessive dependence on individual public representatives'.
It also found that local party activity is too often concentrated around 'formal meetings, selection conventions and elections', adding: 'That pattern makes membership less rewarding and weakens Fine Gael's visibility in communities.'
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