Attempts to oust Labour leader ‘not orchestrated’

Labour councillors calling for Brendan Howlin’s resignation are not acting as part of an “orchestrated heave” on behalf of aspirant leaders, party figures say.

Mr Howlin is facing fresh calls from party councillors to resign over his failure to turn Labour’s fortunes around since taking over in 2016.

Several party insiders said that while they are unhappy at poll ratings of under 10%, now is not the right time for a leadership heave.

They said that if the comments were part of an orchestrated attempt to oust Mr Howlin, then it has been a botched attempt.

One senator said: “I find it very hard to see it as orchestrated as it has been so poorly executed. Just five have come out so far and no one from the parliamentary party is involved.”

Those who spoke yesterday echoed the sentiments expressed by 16 other councillors who last week argued that such a contest is an unwanted distraction.

But Dublin South-West general election candidate, Cllr Martina Genockey, feels a leadership contest would energise the embattled party ranks.

In her statement, Ms Genockey said: “I agree with a lot of the statement released by the 16 councillors last week — we have excellent reps working extremely hard for their constituents and the party, and also in relation to the issues on which they say we should focus.

“However, I disagree that now is not the right time for a leadership election. I do not feel that such a contest would hinder the work of the party on these, and other important issues, but in fact give the party the chance to listen to members all over the country about how to get the party back to its best,” she said.

I think we need to focus the party on those that need it most and I feel that a significant amount of reps, members and voters — both current and former — either don’t feel that is the vision of the party at the moment, or that we are not communicating that vision to the public.

“There has been over two years since the last general election and over four since the last leadership contest in the party. I think that a leadership contest would give those involved a chance to lay out their vision for the Labour Party and give a renewed sense of urgency to the rebuild of the party,” said Ms Genockey.

Four other Labour councillors — Pamela Kearns and Mick Duff from South Dublin County Council, Laois councillor Noel Tuohy, and Kerry councillor Terry O’Brien — called on Mr Howlin to step down earlier this month.