Commenting following the election of Minister Joan Burton TD as Labour Party Leader and Minister of State Alan Kelly TD as Deputy Leader, the Labour Youth National Chairperson, Ciarán Garrett, has said that this is now the time for a renewed effort to implement Labour values.

“Today has seen significant mandates from party members given to both Joan Burton and Alan Kelly to lead the Labour Party. During the hustings, both candidates spoke of the need to renew the party and to ensure that those who felt they could not support our party during the Local and European elections return to vote Labour at the next General Election. But to do this, it is crucial that we push Labour values at cabinet and see them made a reality.”

“The Labour Party is the party of the people. We are the party that have fought for an improvement in living standards for the average person. But we must do more in government for those who we claim to represent.”

“We must see Labour Party values – those progressive values that can create a just and social economic recovery – deliver for the people. Labour Youth support the proposals by Tánaiste Joan Burton to introduce a Living Wage. We want to see an end to Zero Hour Contracts. We want to deliver marriage equality for all. We want to see greater social and economic equality in Ireland. It’s the Labour Party that can deliver on these ideas. We call on the new leadership and the Labour party membership as a whole to ensure these goals are made a reality.”

“I’d like to sincerely thank Eamon Gilmore for his support to Labour Youth; for listening, engaging and working with us. I wish the new Leader and Deputy Leader well in their work ahead and look forward to working with them to deliver Labour values and to win back the support of our voters.”

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For more information, contact Ciarán Garrett