As Fine Gael leader Simon Harris prepares to address the annual Ard Fheis, it is believed the party is “resetting back to core values”. 

The newly appointed leader is expected to focus on law and order, with a particular focus on drug abuse and anti-social behaviour, in his speech at 6.30pm this evening. 

Social Justice Ireland analysis Michelle Murphy told The Anton Savage Show most are predicting a shift in Fine Gael’s focus. 

“They’re resetting back to Fine Gael core values,” she said. “Enterprise, farming, law and order.” 

Despite the focus of “resetting” the party, Ms Murphy pointed out it’s hard to pin down exactly what Mr Harris stands for. 

“I think it's going to be really hard for him because one thing that he does reference and he has referenced is a new social contract – I don’t see what addition he is going to do for that,” she said. 

“I think today he's going to talk about supports for families, but what additional supports apart from those that were announced in the last budget? 

“We have plenty of roadmaps, but we don’t really implement policies.” 

Test for Fine Gael

Journalist Lise Hand pointed out Mr Harris had one of the “smoothest transitions of all time”. 

“But he’s faced with a Herculean task because he can promise a lot but [what about] trying to deliver on all the various things that they've said they deliver on?” 

She said much of the beginning of Mr Harris’ leadership will be marked by one test after another. 

“I think that he will probably get a pass if Fine Gael don't do well in the midterms and the European elections because he'd only be in power about 60 days,” she said. 

“But the next general election which will happen within a year, he will very much be [responsible]. 

“If he goes into his as he probably will with housing, the homeless issues still intractable and unsolved, that will come back to him. 

“They're the cornerstone of everything wrong - they're trying to you know, fill a new job trying to woo back guards trying to move back teachers trying to back nurses. 

“A lot of those aren't coming home because they literally simply have nowhere to live.” 

The annual Fine Gael Ard Fheis is taking place at the University of Galway this weekend. 

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