Gilmore vows to make Labour 'more relevant'

Dun Laoghaire TD Eamon Gilmore today became the tenth Labour leader with a pledge to make his party become more relevant to modern voters.

As expected, there were no leadership rivals to the Co Galway native as nominations closed at noon at the party’s Dublin headquarters.

Flanked by his family and senior party members including Brendan Howlin, Ruairi Quinn and Liz McManus, Mr Gilmore said: “This is going to be a solution-orientated Labour Party.

“To help change Ireland for the better, Labour itself has to change. That is why I have offered to lead Labour on a project of renewal, not just of the party itself, but of the country and of its politics and of our society.”

The former environment spokesman was congratulated after his brief victory speech by his predecessor Pat Rabbitte, who stepped down last month.

Mr Gilmore will announce his new frontbench team before the Dáil resumes after the summer break later this month.

Up to 4,000 party members will begin voting in coming days for the deputy leadership between Dublin West TD Joan Burton and Limerick East TD Jan O’Sullivan.

Ballot papers will be posted next week, and the deadline for completed forms is October 4.