Though an oft-clichéd affirmation, this year has truly seen a youth section with renewed energy and purpose, reasserting itself as a vibrant and essential part of the Labour Party’s fabric. I firmly believe that the activities and engagement in Labour Youth in 2024 marked a turning point for the youth wing, and we are excited to build on this newfound confidence as the National Executive Committee enters the second year of its term.
Central to this resurgence has been a focus on meaningful engagement with young people across the country. Labour Youth has successfully built connections at a local level, restoring regional meetings. The level of enthusiasm displayed at this year’s events, from policy workshops to public campaigns, has been inspiring, with an impressive blend of fresh recruits and seasoned activists coming together to drive forward a shared vision. I wish to take this opportunity to highlight some of the main achievements of Labour Youth in 2024, of which there were many.
Labour Youth prepared its first pre-budget submission in over a decade and presented it to Ged Nash TD prior to budget. This document was created with the input of the newly constituted Central Youth Council, allowing branch and society leaders within LY to meaningfully contribute to the output of the organisation at a national level.
The Tom Johnson Summer School returned with its highest attendance in many years. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, growth in attendance at TJ has grown incrementally, but last year’s edition of the Summer School saw remarkable growth. For the first time in many years, invitations to our sister parties in Europe allowed for the attendance of young Labour activists from abroad, who all reported back that they thoroughly enjoyed the content of the Summer School and intend to return for many years to come. This speaks to the growth of Labour Youth internationally, with our International Secretary Robert O’Donnell leading the charge to grow our reputation in Europe and further afield.
Labour Youth also revived the Left Tribune for the first time in almost two decades. Due to the busy election year in 2024, the Left Tribune took a hiatus in the latter part of the year, and plans are in place to bring the Tribune back once again as a quarterly magazine, with conversations taking place within the NEC to evolve the Left Tribune into a podcast. The Left Tribune is a key element of Labour Youth, allowing our members to express themselves and to bring issues of concern and import to the center of conversation within the Labour Party. I would like to thank all those who purchased a physical copy of the Left Tribune at the Party Conference in the Helix last year, which contributed greatly to our young candidates fund which was utilised at the Local elections last June.
Each year, freshers weeks around the country provide Labour Youth with fertile ground to make remarkable gains in membership amongst higher education students. I am satisfied with our work at freshers in 2024, which saw growth in six higher level institutions. Not only was Labour Youth central to this, but the work of Melissa Cosgrove, Aaron Burke and Conor Sheehan TD was vital to this success, and I wish to sincerely thank them for going the extra mile to provide a positive outcome this year.
Labour Youth played a role in many election campaigns throughout the busy twelve months just past, contributing to over twenty election campaigns between the Local and General elections. I would like to thank all the candidates and their teams who so graciously gave their time throughout a stressful and busy period to engage with Labour Youth activists who joined them on the campaign trail all over Ireland.
With one more big election to go this year, Labour Youth will be waiting with great excitement to get back on the doors when the Presidential election gets underway.
This focused, pragmatic approach has not only bolstered Labour Youth’s standing within the Labour Party but has also won the respect of a wider audience, including at the local, national, and EU level. We intend to strive further in 2025 to achieve what I see as our two primary goals- to ensure Labour Youth is in a stronger position than it was when this NEC term began in 2023, and to make sure that the next NEC is in a position to build further to strengthen Labour Youth and make this youth wing the most exciting and appealing of all youth political organisations in Ireland for new members to join and actively involve themselves in. To provide the next NEC, who will serve from 2025 to 2027, with the strongest possible organisation to inherit is my primary ambition as Chair of Labour Youth, and I know this NEC will work harder than ever to make this happen.
Labour Youth has emerged stronger, more dynamic, and with a clear sense of purpose, proving that even after difficult times, renewal is possible with dedication and vision. The organisation is now firmly on the path to playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Labour Party and providing young people with the tools and platform to influence the world around them. We will continue to develop LY as a grounded and practical youth section. Labour Youth continue to strive to play a role in building Labour and resuscitating the organising spirit that made our movement so great.