Fergus Finlay: Labour must give Bacik a platform to lead for real change to happen

'There is a chance that Ivana Bacik’s election can shape the dynamic of the next few years here. But only if her party is brave,' writes Fergus Finlay

Labour’s Ivana Bacik, flanked by her daughters Cyan and Louis, makes a speech to supporters after winning the Dublin Bay South by-election last Friday. Picture: PA

Is it possible that we may be on the cusp of a new phenomenon in Irish politics? If so, what should we call it? Bacikism, or maybe Ivanaism, spring to mind, though they’re kind of clunky labels. (If you can think of a better one, please let me know.)

I ask the question because I’m just an ordinary member of the Labour Party. I’ve been a member for 50 years or more, and I intend to die as a member (in another 40 years or so!).