Labour Leadership Race
August 30th, 2007 | by aobaoill |There seems to be quite a bit of momentum building behind Eamon Gilmore’s bid to win the Labour Party leadership. Interestingly, several distinct blocks within the party are supporting him – Higgins and Stagg who are traditionally seen as the core of the left of the party came out in support early, former leader Ruairi Quinn, and statements continue to emerge from other members of the PLP – including senators Kelly and McCarthy and new TD Joanna Tuffy – while the campaign is being run by Dominic Hannigan.
With no other candidate yet confirmed, and over a quarter of the PLP already behind him (7/26), Gilmore may be unassailable. Tommy Broughan has yet to confirm his intentions, and Labour Youth has issued a statement calling on him to run, but the longer the delay the more time for Gilmore’s anointment inevitable. Over on politics.ie, David Cochrane has suggested that a contest could benefit the party, which does have a ring of truth to it.
I have heard good things about Gilmore in recent times – reports of his talk at the Tom Johnson summer school have been glowing – but personally I’ll be holding off on a decision until I see all the candidates available.