Fine Gael Leadership

Sir, - Musing on Vincent Browne's observations about the lack of clarity in what Fine Gael actually stands for (Opinion, January…

Sir, - Musing on Vincent Browne's observations about the lack of clarity in what Fine Gael actually stands for (Opinion, January 31st), it occurred to me that maybe what Irish politics needs is a re-alignment on east-west lines.

This could take the form of a re-merged Fianna Fail and PD party, inspired by the McCreevey/Harney worldview, to promote the Anglo-American brand of capitalism and a merged Fine Gael/Labour group to promote the softer, more socially concious European variety.

The parties could then be renamed the Fianna Boston and Fine Berlin parties. The names may not be grammatically correct, but at least the long-confused voter would have a clear choice. - Yours, etc.,

Frank E. Bannister, Stillorgan Wood, Co Dublin.