A chara, – There’s much speculation about who will be in the running to be the next leader of the Labour Party, following Alan Kelly’s sudden departure. Whoever becomes leader will find themselves leading the charge of a very light brigade. – Yours, etc,
PETER DECLAN
O’HALLORAN,
Belturbet,
Co Cavan.
Sir, – In recent days I have heard current Labour Party TDs and Senators, and some party grandees, describe its term in government from 2011 to 2016 as a “disaster” a “catastrophe” and something that “threatens the very existence of the party”. Alan Kelly’s failure to disassociate himself from that period is then held up as one of the main reasons for his overnight defenestration.
Whatever about that, the fact that some of these TDs and Senators were there at the time – either as elected members of the Oireachtas, party officials, or advisers – seems lost on them.
It is also simply untrue. And it displays a staggering lack of backbone in owning the many successes that the Labour Party achieved during that time.
A developed western country experiencing the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression was stabilised, put back on its feet, and set on the road towards record levels of economic growth.
A social transformation occurred through ground-breaking constitutional change including the marriage equality referendum. Effective full employment was practically achieved, and free public healthcare was introduced for our youngest children.
As is so often the case in politics, the easy thing to do is blame the individual in charge when things aren’t going your way. While the Labour Party seems to have a particular penchant for this, it is a characteristic of all political parties in Ireland, Europe, and around the world. But the complete failure to own the party’s successes, stand up for what it has achieved, and defend its record and the decisions it took seems particularly unique.
The new leader will have a big job on their hands, and I wish them the very best. But alongside acknowledging that government’s unpopularity and that some mistakes were made, taking credit for the transformations and successes it delivered will inspire much more confidence and make the Labour Party look as if it knows what it can achieve. – Yours, etc,
RONAN FARREN,
(Former Labour Party
Press Officer and Adviser),
Dublin 7.
A chara, – If the proposed replacement of Alan Kelly by Ivana Bacik is to continue to be presented as a generational change in leadership, it’s not in the usual direction. He’s 46. She’s 53. – Yours, etc,
JOHN CRONIN,
Dublin 6W.
Sir, – It appears the Labour Party are looking for a new leader, and insiders are tipping Ivana Bacik. But most of us have known for a long time that the Labour Party are all Bacik-crazy! – Yours, etc,
FRANK LONG,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – Paradoxically, had Ivana Bacik – Alan Kelly’s putative successor as Labour Party leader – not won that historic 2021 Dublin Bay South byelection for Labour, “AK-47” might still be party leader. – Yours, etc,
PAUL DELANEY,
Dalkey,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Upon the resignation of Alan Kelly, I observe that Ivana Bacik is an anticipated candidate for the Labour Party leadership. Eamon Ryan of the Green Party, who needs no introduction, and Jim O’Callaghan, often shortlisted as a successor to Micheál Martin, both share the same constituency.
Dublin Bay South may soon become quite the Donnybrook of party leaders. – Yours, etc,
CONOR FORDE,
Mullingar,
Co Westmeath.
Sir, – Russia invades Ukraine and the Labour Party response is to have a leadership heave. Only the Labour Party could do that. – Yours, etc,
JASON FITZHARRIS,
Swords,
Co Dublin.