The News Agents Leo Varadkar on Trump, Starmer and the death of liberalism
16 snips
Sep 26, 2025 
Leo Varadkar, Ireland's youngest and first openly gay Taoiseach, discusses his memoir and the evolving political landscape. He compares the challenges of dealing with Trump and Johnson, revealing insights about their leadership styles. Varadkar critiques the current state of liberalism, citing a loss of fun and the rise of cancel culture. He emphasizes the need for centrist politicians to adopt relatable communication and expresses concerns over the influence of billionaires in media. His reflections on the potential for a united Ireland and changes in British politics offer a thought-provoking perspective.
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The Core Political Choice Today
- Varadkar argues the current political choice is between grievance-driven populism and a renewed progressive centre.
- He warns grievance politics survives by keeping problems alive rather than solving them.
Early Run For Office
- Varadkar recounts running for parliament aged 20 and losing, then winning later and serving over 20 years.
- He frames early entry to politics as seizing opportunities when they arise, not a preplanned career path.
Outsider Advantage Of Populists
- Varadkar notes many populists built long public profiles from outside office, which helped their appeal.
- He highlights governing exposes implementation challenges that outsiders rarely face.
