You would think that, after the enforced Irish bailout, Taoiseach Brian Cowen would show either shame or remorse, bowing to the demands of his people to resign, and calling a general election.
But not a bit of it. Faced with a challenge from his own minister for foreign affairs, Micheál Martin, Cowan pulls a blinder, announcing that he was to tabling a motion of confidence - in himself, thereby catching his opponent off-balance, and giving himself a tactical advantage.
Yet he leads a party, Fianna Fáil, which may not even be able to muster enough MPs to form a decent opposition, never mind taking part in government, if Cowen leads it into the general election, so unpopular is the man.
What it has come down to though, is power and personal ambition. The job, the wishes of the people, the party and even the welfare of the nation come a poor second. And what makes this of special concern is that this is the politicians' disease throughout Europe.
Cowan is the model for the "new politics". No wonder the rats are out and about in Downing Street.
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