Labour Westmeath candidate numbers surge ahead of Local Elections.
The Labour Party in Westmeath has selected a further five candidates for the electoral areas of Moat, Mullingar, and Kinnegad, ahead of the upcoming local elections this May.
The well-attended selection convention held on Friday 11th Jan, in the Newbury Hotel, Mullingar was attended by Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin TD, Labour’s National Organiser Billie Sparks and local TD, and Labour stalwart, Willie Penrose.
Of the five candidates selected there was a mix of familiar faces and new candidates. In Moate, Cllr. Johnnie Penrose will be seeking reelection. Speaking on his selection Cllr. Penrose said;
“I am grateful to be selected once again to represent my area and the Labour Party locally. I have been proud to serve as a Councilor in Westmeath since 2002 and look forward to continuing with that work. I also relish the opportunity to contest this election in the new Moate electoral area.”
The Mullingar electoral area will be contested by Mark Scally, and Margaret Lynam- Sweeney representing Labour.
Former Labour Councillor Denis Leonard has been selected to represent the party in the Kinnegad electoral area, with his running mate, Gaelsocil An Choillín Principal, Lorraine Scally who is a first-time candidate for the Labour party in the area. Speaking on her selection Ms. Scally said:
“I am delighted to have been selected to contest the local elections for the Labour Party. When I moved back to the area in 2004 I did it with the objective to give back to my local community. Through the years being involved in the GAA, Tidy Towns and the Community Games have allowed me to do that. I think however my work in getting Gael Scoil An Choillín in Mullingar up and running as principal proves that I am the kind of person who is ready to put in the hard work needed to deliver for the community. That sense of community focus and work ethic are what I will bring to the council.”
Speaking following the candidate selection convention, Brendan Howlin said;
“Westmeath has a strong and long-standing Labour tradition. Whenever you come to a meeting of the county party in Westmeath you can be guaranteed a well-attended and enthusiastic meeting.
“I am very proud to see a mix of returning Councillors and new faces standing for the Party in the Westmeath County Council election. The number of new candidates here shows that Labour’s values and ethos provide the natural home for those on the left who are ready to roll up their sleeves and get the work done at local government. For over 100 years, Labour has delivered first-class public housing, better local amenities, and responsiveness to the needs of local people.
“I look forward to seeing all of these candidates elected this May and I look forward to working with them in the years to come.”
The Westmeath Labour Party will hold a further selection convention for candidates in the Rathcoole Electoral area before the end of January.