Howlin says he’s still the man to rebuild Labour
BRENDAN Howlin has come out fighting as speculation over his future as Labour party leader intensifies.
Labour languishes at 6% in the polls, and 14 of the party’s councillors have written to Mr Howlin to demand an ‘urgent meeting’ over his future.
Yesterday he said he would be happy to discuss the issue at the party’s think-in in September, but vowed that he would be the one to rebuild the party and double Labour’s seven TDs at the next election. ‘I think the recovery, the rebuild of the Labour Party is our common objective – for every councillor, every member of the parliamentary party, led by me. And I’m determined to achieve that,’ he said on RTÉ’s Today with Miriam O’Callaghan.
Several councillors have backed Tipperary TD Alan Kelly as the next Labour leader. Mr Kelly wrote an article at the weekend, criticising the party for an ‘absence of visible leadership on economic policies’.
But Mr Howlin hit back at those claims yesterday, saying: ‘I certainly think that my strength is in economics.
He also said that a change of leadership will not help the party’s rebuilding efforts adding: ‘I think it is actually just the wrong analysis to say that switching the name on the Labour leaders’ door is going to have that impact.’
A MEMBER of Dáil Éireann since 1987, a Minister who has held the important portfolios of Health, of the Environment and of Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin had also served as a senator, as Leas-Cheann Comhairle and as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party before he assumed the party leadership in May 2016. His record is, therefore, beyond doubt, his commitment to the Labour Party both exemplary and unquestionable.
However, with the internal rumblings of discontent over his leadership now gathering pace, and in the light of his somewhat weak defence of his position on RTÉ yesterday, it would appear the time has come for Mr Howlin to consider his position.
He has had his day in the sun. Now, with Labour struggling to rebuild its shattered party, it needs new blood, a stronger hand on the tiller and a more vocal leadership.
That Mr Howlin appears not to recognise this reality speaks volumes. The leadership is no longer the right fit – not for him, and not for the party.