Diane Abbott to address Labour Youth Summer School

The 25th Annual Tom Johnson Summer School, organised by Labour Youth, will be held this coming weekend in NUI Galway. The Summer School will open on Friday evening 12th July and run until Sunday 14th July. The theme for this year is ‘Defending Democracy’.

The UK Labour Party Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott will give a key note address on Friday evening at approx. 8.30pm. Media are invited to attend but asked to please confirm their attendance.

Alexander Walker, the Labour Youth Director of the Tom Johnson Summer School said: “We are delighted to host Diane Abbott MP this year and look forward to hearing her views on the latest political developments in the UK and on our theme of ‘Defending Democracy’. Across the weekend we have worked hard to assemble exciting panels of expert speakers where we will discuss the future of workers rights, the rise of the far right and the threat of climate chaos.”

Labour Youth Chair Patrick Ahern said: “The Tom Johnson Summer School provides Labour Party activists with a platform to vigorously debate the issues that matter, take stock of recent political events, and hear from expert panellists. This year we are delighted to honour the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation with the Jim Kemmy Thirst for Justice award and to have Phil Ní Shéadghda attend to receive it on Saturday night.’

Labour party Leader Brendan Howlin will deliver a keynote speech on Saturday night at the Gala Dinner.

What: Key note address by Diane Abbott MP, Shadow Home Secretary

When: approx. 8.30pm, Friday 12th July

Where: HBB Building, NUI Galway

The full schedule of speakers in appended below.

ENDS

For further information contact Cathal on 0874157832 or Siobhán on 0851210344; and media are asked to RSVP to [email protected]

Welcome Address – Cllr. Níall McNelis.

Panel 1 – The Future of Workers’ Rights
Professor Rob Gilles, Professor of Economics, Queen’s University Belfast
Senator Ged Nash
Craig McHugh, Union of Students in Ireland
Anne Ryan, Basic Income Ireland

Keynote Address
Diane Abbott MP,  Shadow Home Secretary, UK Labour Party.

Saturday 13th July
Panel 2 -¡No Pasarán!: Fighting the Rise of the Far Right
Laura Harmon, National Women’s Council of Ireland
Miriam Mirwitch, Chair of Young Labour UK
Sinéad Nolan, Irish Council for Civil Liberties
Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Panel 3 – The Threat of Climate Chaos: Environmental Change for a Greener Future
Leontien Friel Darrell, Extinction Rebellion
Niamh Garvey, Trócaire
Dr. Aideen O’Dochartaigh, Not Here Not Anywhere
Alex White, former Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Panel 4 – Breaking the Chains of Poverty: Combatting Financial Inequality
Dr. Laura Bambrick, Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Senator Alice Mary Higgins
Hazel Nolan, GMB Scotland
Jack O’Connor, Chair of the Labour Party and former President SIPTU

Panel 5 – Healthcare For All?: Challenging Barriers to Access
Noah Halpin, This Is Me – Transgender Healthcare Campaign
Maria Ní Fhlatharta, Abortion Rights Campaign
Anne Waithira Burke, AkiDwa
Colm Walsh, Regional Drug and Alcohol Taskforce

Gala Dinner
The Connacht Hotel, Dublin Road, Galway

Speech by Party Leader Brendan Howlin TD, presentation of the Jim Kemmy Thirst for Justice Award to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), and address by Alexander Walker, Director of the Tom Johnson Summer School. Phil Ní Shéadghda will collect the Jim Kemmy Thirst for Justice Award on behalf of the INMO.

Sunday 14th July
Workshop: Running for Election
Sarah Dunne
Shane Folan
Cllr. Ciara Galvin
Cllr. Conor Sheehan

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