Delight as councillor changes his colours

IRELAND’S first openly gay councillor has made a drastic change in his political preferences.

Cllr Peter Kelly, who started his political life as a member of the Progressive Democratic, and who then defected to Fine Gael, has now joined Labour.

The Douglas man, who became leader of Fine Gael in Ireland’s largest local authority, Cork County Council, recently emigrated to New Zealand, where he changed his political allegiance again.

News of the move was conveyed by cllr Kelly to the leader of the Labour Party on the council, cllr Paula Desmond, who expressed her delight.

“He applied for membership of the Labour Party when he went out there and he’s now got it. He’s been moving to the Left gradually over the years. It’s just a pity he didn’t join us when he was in Ireland,” cllr Desmond said.

“If he ever decided to come back to this country he would be more than welcome in our party,” she added.

Before he emigrated to New Zealand with his partner last month, cllr Kelly told the Irish Examiner that he did want to retain an interest in politics.

The speed at which the accountant enrolled in a new party caught some councillors by surprise.

“I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if he became a well known political figure out there,” cllr Desmond said.