After 15 years in power, what is Fine Gael in 2026?

Updated / Sunday, 8 Nov 2026 07:00

After 15 years in power and 11 years in some form of partnership with Fianna Fáil, many delegates at Fine Gael's Ard Fheis were pondering this question as members met in Cork.

Indeed, the group set up by Simon Harris when he took over the reins in April 2024 released its report this week concluding that many did not believe Fine Gael had a clear identity.

And that theme was picked up by delegates at the discussion on the Commission for Renewal report.

One member spoke about the fear of being "consumed into Fianna Fáil". Another agreed that he was "not convinced that we have articulated our core values".

And another delegate insisted that Fine Gael should proudly declare itself as the Christian Democrat centre right party she believed it is at its core, adding that it should not "pivot to the left".

And perhaps this is the essence of the dilemma for Fine Gael as it grapples with the difficult process of attempting to renew as a party when it has been in government for such a lengthy period.

Renewal and resetting are usually best done in opposition, which gives a party the time and space to take more bold positions rather than firefighting with the issues of the day.

'Dole is a safety net, not a way of life'

In his speech, party leader Simon Harris focused on the usual Fine Gael themes of being tough on law and order and making work pay.

Much attention was paid to his crackdown on those long-term unemployed who refuse to engage with services to get them back to work.

He promised penalties, adding that "the dole is a safety net, not a way of life".

But while this was eye-catching and is clearly aimed at the party's core supporters, it is not entirely new either.

Former Social Protection minister Heather Humphreys previously suggested that long-term unemployed should not receive an increase in their dole payment in line with other welfare increases.

And former taoiseach Leo Varadkar also homed in on those he deemed welfare cheats.

In reality, the party leader's speech did not offer a new vision of Fine Gael, rather a mish mash of existing themes.

And maybe this is the core of the issue for the party - that it hasn't really moved on from the invocation of previous leader Leo Varadkar - that Fine Gael is the party for those who get up early in the morning.

Indeed, this was repeated by Simon Harris in his leader's speech citing the party that represents the person who gets up early in the morning and does a good, decent day's work.