Howlin interview on Armistice Day clash shows he’s out of touch, say Kelly backers

SUPPORTERS of Alan Kelly’s bid to take charge of Labour said that party leader Brendan Howlin’s decision to go on radio to discuss World War I Armistice commemorations was the final straw.

Mr Howlin was interviewed on RTÉ’s News at One about how the commemorations will clash with the planned inauguration of the incoming President on November 11.

That day is the centenary of the end of World War I, a conflict in which thousands of Irishmen died.

Pro-Kelly Labour people said the interview illustrated how out of touch Mr Howlin is. ‘Our performance and relevance are non-existent, we need to get back to what we’re good at,’ said one of Mr Kelly’s party supporters.

‘I mean going on radio talking about the fact that the inauguration day for the President shouldn’t be on the same day as the Armistice Day commemoration, is that really the pressing issue confronting the country? I don’t believe it is. F*** me, I’d rather our leader was on radio talking about homelessness, the lack of adequate housing for working people or the health service.’

A Labour supporter agreed that Mr Howlin’s interest in the Armistice is laudable, and will gain him supporters in the intelligentsia the Labour Party seems so anxious to gain favour with.

‘But it is the neglect of bread and butter issues that affect ordinary working people that is killing us at the polls,’ said the source.

It is being claimed Mr Kelly had not planned on coming out to support those who had called for Mr Howlin’s leadership to be debated. However, a number of councillors put him under pressure to do so.

‘Alan ultimately wasn’t involved in this originally. It wasn’t on his agenda. It developed organically,’ the source said. Every journalist was trying to contact Alan about this and he must have decided that a long interview on Tipp FM was the best way to deal with it. He was, as Alan always is, honest.

‘It doesn’t come across as personal, he likes Brendan, but it’s business and the party has become irrelevant.’

Mr Kelly’s supporters do not believe a motion of no confidence in Mr Howlin is a realistic prospect and they are hoping that he will step down for the good of the party.

‘I’d rather he talk about the homeless’