Gilmore favourite to be next Labour leader

Labour Party TD Eamon Gilmore tonight emerged as the clear favourite to succeed Pat Rabbitte who suddenly resigned as leader.

Mr Rabbitte said he decided to quit now rather than wait for his six-year term to end in October 2008.

He explained that he wanted to allow his successor enough time fight the local and European elections in 2009.

Mr Gilmore declined to immediately throw his hat into the ring but he is expected to officially announce his leadership bid in coming days.

The Dun Laoghaire TD ran alongside Mr Rabbitte, Brendan Howlin and Roisin Shortall for the top job in 2002.

Mr Gilmore said tonight: “I was surprised by Pat’s announcement. He called me this morning and told me. I’m still recovering from the news at the moment.

He joked: “I need to go home and talk to the wife first about it! I want to take a couple of days to consult party colleagues and friends.”

The Labour Party’s national executive meets on September 1 and will decide on the leadership election process.

It is expected that there will be a postal ballot of all party members.

The process will take several weeks and it may be October before Mr Rabbitte’s successor is chosen.

Mr Rabbitte refused to be drawn on who he would favour as his successor.

He added: “Of course I will continue to work for the party and if the new leader asks me to take over responsibility for forestry and wildlife, I will be glad to do it.”

He said he hoped his successor would focus strongly on policy and the party’s organisation.

Meanwhile, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern led tributes to Mr Rabbitte, praising him as an able and talented political opponent.

Mr Ahern said his wit had enlivened politics and enlightened public debate over many years.

“Since he entered the Dail in 1989 he has been one of the most eloquent and effective parliamentarians in the House,” Mr Ahern said.

“His contribution on Oireachtas Committees, his role as a spokesperson for his party, his period as a minister, and his years as leader of the Labour Party are a cumulative contribution to public affairs of the very highest calibre.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said Ireland had lost a passionate political leader who was an honour to work with.

“At a time when we need a better and broader vision for our country we have lost one of the few political leaders who espoused, passionately, such a vision,” Mr Kenny said.

“I have spoken to Pat and thanked him for his work over the last five years and in particular his and the Labour Party’s decision to give the Irish people a real choice in the recent general election.

Green Party leader John Gormley described him as a witty Dail performer.

“Pat Rabbitte showed great ambition for the Labour party and was an extremely competent and witty parliamentary performer,” Mr Gormley he said.

“He managed to both entertain and enliven the Dail over the last five years.”

Sinn Fein’s Dail leader Caoimhghin O’Caolain wished Mr Rabbitte well on the backbenches.

“Though we have our political differences and have had an occasional spat on the floor of the Dáil chamber, I would like to wish Pat Rabbitte well in his continuing role as an elected member of the Dail,” he said.

“I hope to work well with whomever succeeds Pat as leader of the Labour Party.”

Trade union Siptu paid tribute to his support for workers’ rights.

General Secretary Joe O’Flynn said: “On behalf of Siptu I would like to thank him for the tremendous work he did, particularly in defending vulnerable workers, especially migrants.”