Latest exit won’t cause Labour any pain

Tommy Broughan has been a thorn in the leadership’s side for some time and few in Labour will lament his loss, writes Political Editor, Paul O’Brien

THERE won’t be any tears for Tommy. Usually when a political party loses a man overboard, there is consternation in the ranks. But when Labour TD Tommy Broughan voted against the Government yesterday, there was a collective shrug of the shoulders. Broughan was promptly booted out of the parliamentary party, and Labour went back about its business.

When super-junior minister Willie Penrose resigned both from Government and the Labour parliamentary party last month in protest at the Government decision to close an army barracks in his constituency, there was realism — but also some genuine regret — within the party about the outcome.