Howlin Leaves Labour Leadership

Brendan Howlin has resigned as leader of the Irish Labour Party follow their bad performance at the General Election 2020. Under his leadership Labour were unable to turn the tide, however they retained 6 seats in the Dáil with just 4.4% of first preference votes.

Speaking to his colleagues in the Parliamentary Labour Party, Brendan Howlin formal informed them of his intention to stand down as leader. He will remain as leader once a new leader has been elected.

Howlin has asked the Labour Party General Secretary, Brian McDowell, to begin making the arrangements for the nomination and election process.

Labour’s Executive Board will meet on the 15th February 2020 to approve the arrangements for the election of a new leader.

Speaking after the meeting of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin said:

“It has been an honour to lead the Labour Party but now is the right time to pass on the baton to a new generation. It has been undoubtedly a difficult election for us but I believe we have succeeded in sowing the seeds for future growth. I would like to thank all of my colleagues for their support over the last four years, and to thank the party’s members and staff who have put in a huge effort in the recent election as they do between elections. I will continue to represent the people of my beloved Wexford to the best of my ability and I thank them wholeheartedly for their continued support. I will, of course, offer my total support to my successor when they are elected.”