New chairman bursts bubble

Labour needs to ditch its “bubble” mentality, the party’s outspoken new chairman Colm Keaveney has insisted.

The Galway East TD won a commanding victory over other candidates seen as closer to the leadership after positioning himself as an alternative voice.

Mr Keaveney stressed, however, that he would not use the position of chairman to try and create an alternate policy focus, and denied being a rebel.

“I think the media have unnecessarily flattered me and pigeon-holed me. We don’t have time in the party to talk about internal dissent — our priority is to restore the economic fortunes of the country, to get people back to work,” said Mr Keaveney, adding that a “critical analysis” was needed to better communicate with core Labour supporters.

“If we can secure the support of Labour, then we can secure the support of the country. Labour people have to persuade their neighbours, their communities, about that road ahead,” he said.

“Sometimes the parliamentary process can be insulated and you can live in a bubble. I’ve had the great privilege of listening to people and what they’ve had to say, and what I have established is that we’re doing a good job in government, but we’re doing a mediocre job in telling people what we’re doing in government. And that’s not spin-doctoring — it’s different, it’s engagement, it’s participation.”