Ivana Bacik set for second term as Labour leader after uncontested leadership election

Labour’s rules require a post-election leadership vote, but no TD will challenge Bacik as nomination deadline nears

Ivana Bacik speaking to the media at Leinster House in Dublin. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

The Labour Party is to hold a leadership election, with incumbent leader Ivana Bacik set to be reappointed after being endorsed by 10 TDs.

Under the party’s constitution, it is required to launch a leadership race six months after a general election if the party does not enter government.

However, the party is unlikely to launch a formal leadership contest between two candidates, as no TD apart from Ms Bacik is due to stand.

In a letter to Labour Party grassroots on Friday, Louth TD Ged Nash confirmed the entire Labour parliamentary party was backing Ms Bacik for a second term as party leader.

“As Chair of the Parliamentary Party, I have spoken individually to each member of the PLP in relation to a potential contest,” Mr Nash wrote.

“I am pleased to report that all members of the Parliamentary Party are fully supportive of Ivana’s leadership and wish her to seek another term.

“Importantly, no TD will be putting themselves forward for the leadership contest.” 

Mr Nash said that the full Labour parliamentary party – consisting of 11 TDs and two senators – would sign Ms Bacik’s nomination papers.

“Given the party rules, I think this development will effectively bring the leadership election process to a conclusion, and the party can now continue to focus on the task ahead of us: to grow the party and to put forward our vision of an equal, progressive and tolerant Ireland,” Mr Nash wrote.

Internal party rules require that a leader of the Labour Party must be a sitting TD, and there is a requirement for a nomination to come from two members of the parliamentary party.

To get on the ballot otherwise, a Labour TD must receive a nomination from at least five constituency councils that make up at least 10% of the party membership.

Ms Bacik is expected to be formally reappointed on May 8, when nominations for the leadership contest close.

The leadership contest comes just days after Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman was reappointed as leader in a similar fashion, with no challenger to his leadership.