Labour Party agrees to back Deputy Catherine Connolly’s Presidential Campaign

Labour Party agrees to back Deputy Catherine Connolly’s Presidential Campaign - The Labour Party

At a joint meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) and the Party’s Executive Board (EB) this evening, Thursday 31 July, it was agreed to support Deputy Catherine Connolly’s Presidential election campaign.

At the meeting, PLP and EB members were briefed by the General Secretary on the Party’s membership consultation process which concluded earlier this week.  That consultation showed a clear majority of members in favour of supporting Catherine Connolly TD in the Presidential election.

Following a discussion, the PLP and EB proceeded to agree to support the campaign.

The meeting also appointed Ciarán Ahern TD, as the Labour Party’s co-ordinator with Catherine Connolly’s campaign.

Speaking after the meeting, Deputy Ahern said,

“I would like to thank all Labour Party members who contributed to the consultation. As a party that values democracy and equality, our membership is the driving force of our Party and it was vital to hear their input on this important question.

“At this evening’s meeting it was agreed that the Party should support Catherine Connolly as the Left candidate for the Presidency. We are doing so in the spirit of supporting the development and growth of the Left across the country and demonstrating that an alternative politics is possible here, a cause which our party leader Ivana Bacik has led and promoted over recent years.

“While there are issues where we have differed with Deputy Connolly, we are determined that the social democratic values of equality, justice and tolerance should shape the Presidency over the next seven years and follow the legacy of Michael D Higgins.  We believe that Catherine Connolly shares those values, and has put them into practice during her political career.

“Catherine will make an excellent President, campaigning and advocating for the common good.”