Brendan Howlin steps down as Labour leader

super_furry

That's him for Ceann Comhairle you'd imagine and one fewer TD to take Sinn Fein and a 'left alliance' to that 80 number, but opens the door to them doing a deal as a party.

Be interesting who steps up next though Alan Kelly or Aodhán Ó Ríordáin most likely. Really like what I've seen and heard from Ó Ríordáin over the last few years and would love to see some of his drug harm reduction policies implemented.

blanch152

That was quicker than expected. It opens the door to Labour doing a deal with Sinn Fein.

bobbysands81

Good riddance. A shambles of a leader, a shambles of a politician. A so called “Labour” man presiding over the reduction of wages of all public sector workers?

BanditLuke

Champagne socialist

is_that_so

super_furry wrote: »

That's him for Ceann Comhairle you'd imagine and one fewer TD to take Sinn Fein and a 'left alliance' to that 80 number, but opens the door to them doing a deal as a party.

Be interesting who steps up next though Alan Kelly or Aodhán Ó Ríordáin most likely. Really like what I've seen and heard from Ó Ríordáin over the last few years and would love to see some of his drug harm reduction policies implemented.

Probably Kelly as the most senior of them or maybe they too want a sweeping change. O'Riordain has energy and not the negative kind.

griffin100

Kelly or Ó Ríordáin as the next leader?

That's another decade out of government for Labour.

Edgware

bobbysands81 wrote: »

Good riddance. A shambles of a leader, a shambles of a politician. A so called “Labour” man presiding over the reduction of wages of all public sector workers?

Disgraceful comment.
I'm sure you are worried about public sectors workers. When S.F. were actively supporting the bombing of civilian targets in pubs, shopping centres and the murder of census collectors, post office staff etc Brendan Howlin and the Labour Party were active in forwarding a progressive agenda on social issues, education etc

EmmetSpiceland

Anyone but Alan Kelly, please.

granturismo

BanditLuke wrote: »

Champagne socialist

More fitting description for Mary Lou, Boyd Barrett and Paul Murphy

nigeldaniel

Labour found themselves in a tough situation and I feel a bit sorry for Brendan. Not sure who will take over but I hope they take their time and plan the new leadership good a proper. Maybe an injection of youthfulness and a new image will do them good.

James Brown

Hopefully they rebuild into a left leaning party and become a viable force next election.

Auguste Comte

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

Anyone but Alan Kelly, please.

How will the new leader be selected? Will it be a democratic process or will a cabal appoint someone against the wishes of the party membership?

Edgware

Auguste Comte wrote: »

How will the new leader be selected? Will it be a democratic process or will a cabal appoint someone against the wishes of the party membership?

You mean like the way Michelle O Neill got her job

rob316

They needed someone else he doesn't really stand out from the crowd.

blanch152

Auguste Comte wrote: »

How will the new leader be selected? Will it be a democratic process or will a cabal appoint someone against the wishes of the party membership?

What party membership?

TheValeyard

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin is an utter dose

nigeldaniel

nigeldaniel wrote: »

Labour found themselves in a tough situation and I feel a bit sorry for Brendan. Not sure who will take over but I hope they take their time and plan the new leadership good a proper. Maybe an injection of youthfulness and a new image will do them good.

a very decent man, labour's decision to sit in a recession-recovery govt will be debated for years yet but their intentions were sincere imo

that said, they have offered little or nothing since, and have not in any way rejuvenated their ranks in a period where the youth have absolutely been crying out to be involved in a left-driven alternative.

the age and profile of most of their big runners in the last election wasnt inspiring, and SF just hoovered up the voters that labour should have been fighting hard for.

he had to go, and any new leader will really have to look at the rebuild needed. picking up the phone to the socdems would be a start

is_that_so

Auguste Comte wrote: »

How will the new leader be selected? Will it be a democratic process or will a cabal appoint someone against the wishes of the party membership?

Nah they do votes.
https://www.rte.ie/news/election-2020/2020/0212/1114868-labour-party/

bmc58

bobbysands81 wrote: »

Good riddance. A shambles of a leader, a shambles of a politician. A so called “Labour” man presiding over the reduction of wages of all public sector workers?

He's rumoured to be "very interested" in the Ceann Comhairle job.The gravy train never ends.

I Am The Law

37 years of idleness, why didn't he step down before the election FFS.

is_that_so

bmc58 wrote: »

He's rumoured to be "very interested" in the Ceann Comhairle job.The gravy train never ends.

He'd be a good choice, purely on experience and he's getting paid anyway.

L1011

bmc58 wrote: »

He's rumoured to be "very interested" in the Ceann Comhairle job.The gravy train never ends.

He was very interested it in in 2011 also. Was a leas-CC for the term before it.

He would get re-elected in Wexford for the rest of his life so getting the CC role isn't that different.

Loafing Oaf

They need a leader untainted by the promise-breaking of 2011, Duncan Smith it has to be:P

I Am The Law

I Am The Law wrote: »

37 years of idleness, why didn't he step down before the election FFS.

minister for public expenditure and reform for 5 years, when it was arguably one of the most critical briefs in the country

but yeah, sure, whatever

seamus

If these guys had any sense, Labour would disband and join the Social Democrats to give them 12 seats in the Dail.

Labour is a tainted brand for a generation. Whatever they were in the 90s and 00s is lost forever. Alan Kelly always went on about leadership, but leadership of Labour is worthless at this point. They should recognise that Shorthall was right to have quit, they are the ones who backed the wrong horse.

bunderoon

blanch152 wrote: »

That was quicker than expected. It opens the door to Labour doing a deal with Sinn Fein.

He only took leadership for the pension top-up. Tis the way.

JohnnyFlash

AK47 is the man for the job.

Stewball

seamus wrote: »

If these guys had any sense, Labour would disband and join the Social Democrats to give them 12 seats in the Dail.

The LSD party.

In all seriousness, this is their only hope. Merge with the SocDems and let Roisin Shortall lead them.
Alan Kelly should f**k off and become an Independent in Tipperary.

realdanbreen

bobbysands81 wrote: »

Good riddance. A shambles of a leader, a shambles of a politician. A so called “Labour” man presiding over the reduction of wages of all public sector workers?

The man has more class than all of the ' we broke the free state ' 'up the ra' crowd put together.

lawred2

I liked Brendan really. I believe his convictions were genuinely held and he had our best interests as he saw them at heart.

But Labour should not have aligned with FG in 2011.

lawred2

Loafing Oaf wrote: »

They need a leader untainted by the promise-breaking of 2011, Duncan Smith it has to be:P

He's our local labour guy - met him a few times. He's a really nice guy.