British psychodrama and Bertie's big blunder

Thursday 14 May, 2026

14 May 2026

The vultures are circling Keir Starmer in a way that just doesn't happen in Irish politics. We ask why, and whether the difference between a prime minister on 19% approval and a Taoiseach on 38% is less about likability and more about having an economy on performance enhancing drugs.

Christine Bohan, Christina Finn and Rónán Duffy compare the Starmer psychodrama with Micheál Martin's version of the same problem. What Ireland can learn from a country that's about to get its sixth prime minister in seven years, and vice versa?

Also: Bertie Ahern was secretly recorded on a canvas saying he worries about immigrants, which is very awkward timing given the Fianna Fáil ard fheis is on this weekend.

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