Have you ever Googled a question about Leo?
If so, don’t run the risk of landing on some fake news and instead consult the Taoiseach himself. In a format originally devised by Wired – and previously only reserved for A-list celebs – Leo has released a social media video answering the questions that have been most commonly Google searched about him.
This, of course, comes in the run up to the General Election, and in the wake of much discussion about Leo’s demeanour.
In the Virgin Media debate against Michael Martin last week, the Fine Gael leader admitted that he has been accused of lacking empathy but insisted that wasn’t the case. Then, in a follow up interview with the Irish Independent, he put his perceived “insensitive” approach down to being a doctor who was used to focusing on fixing the problems.
These admissions may have gone some way towards fixing Leo’s own problem of needing to be humanised for the voting public – who were less than impressed when he turned the case of a seriously injured homeless man into an opportunity for political point scoring – until Catherine Noone weighed in and caused him an even bigger headache.
Which brings us to today and the release, on Twitter, of a ‘get to know Leo’ video, featuring a smiley, jokey version of the man himself.
Have you ever googled a question about me?
If so, you might find your answer here:#LookForward pic.twitter.com/kIKZSsZRnG
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) January 29, 2020
Here are some questions of my own that occurred while watching it.
1. How do you rock a casual look when you’re the Taoiseach?
Roll up those sleeves.
You want an outfit that conveys that message that you’re a man of the people, but also that your day job is running the country. So what do you wear? Chinos and a t-shirt? Trainers? A patterned co-ord? A tracksuit?
Leo’s chosen to play it ultra-safe here and opt for a suit without the jacket. His tie (green, naturally) is most definitely not loosened, but the sleeves of his crisp shirt (blue, naturally) are rolled up. It’s a look that says ‘I’m happy to joke around but ready to jump into emergency Brexit negotiations’ or perhaps ‘I was busy with Brexit negotiations but my media team feel that I need urgent humanising’.
2. How do you look like less of a posh boy, when you’re a posh boy?
Simple: pretend that you’re not.
“I’m from Castleknock in Dublin – not from the expensive end,” Leo tells us as he pulls a funny face for the camera. Aw, just like Natalie was from the dodgy end of Wandsworth… Have you forgotten that your last Love Actually reference didn’t go down well Taoiseach? And that Boris Johnson subsequently killed that source material for every politician ever?
Leo goes on to explain that he doesn’t even live in Dublin 4 like everyone thinks. He lives in Dublin 15. Fifteen. An odd number. On THE NORTHSIDE. Well I’m a northsider born and bred Leo, and I still think you’re a posh boy. Perhaps you should have gone with the tracksuit.
3. How do you keep the public interested in your storyline?
Tease a wedding.
Ok, so the question is “are you married?” to which Leo responds he is in a long-term relationship but currently has no plans to get hitched. But the mere mention of weddings naturally sends us off into all sorts of daydreaming…
What would the wedding of the first openly gay Taoiseach look like? Where would they do it? What would they wear? Who would be on the guest list? And – crucially – would we get a bonus bank holiday for it?
4. How do you say sorry without actually saying it?
Order the steak.
Much to the displeasure of the farming community, last year Leo said he was cutting down on his meat intake due to climate concerns. This year we have tractors blocking up Dublin City centre and an election looming, so Leo is ordering the steak. And the fish and the chicken too.
He likes his steak medium, unless he’s in France where it’s well done. Later we learn he parles Francais too. Presumably he’s planning to take both the horse and the Kerrygold there post Brexit.
5. How do you sign off a video like this?
By not mentioning drugs.
In response to the final question on the board, Leo tells us that he is a qualified doctor, but he’s no longer a registered practitioner: “So I can’t prescribe any drugs or write any sick notes I’m afraid.” Sheepish shrug.
Now, we all know that he means medication here, but the word he uses is ‘drugs’. Which takes us right back to last week’s Virgin Media debate and that endless icy pause when he was asked about his use of actual drugs… Perhaps not the best way to get your audience to #lookforward Leo.
