Mayo FG councillor backs Harris for leadership

CASTLEBAR Fine Gael Councillor Ger Deere is throwing his support behind Deputy Simon Harris as the new leader of Fine Gael.

The appointment of Harris, he feels, will allow the party to rebuild its rural base while still appealing to urban voters.

In a statement, Councillor Deere set out: “As a member of Fine Gael and having discussed the resignation of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach and party leader with constituents and colleagues, I will be supporting Simon Harris for the position of Fine Gael President and party leader. I supported Simon Coveney in the last leadership election and given the fact he is not contesting this time I am fully endorsing Simon Harris.

“He has proven to a very effective minister in every portfolio he has held and I have seen this at first hand as I have worked with him closely on the ongoing developments at ATU Mayo and the Mayo College of Further Education.

“A capable, articulate politician, he has a great understanding of the issues affecting both rural and urban Ireland.

“He also represents a unique urban-rural constituency in Wicklow which should allow FG to rebuild our rural base while still appealing to our urban voters.”