Labour Selects Cllr. Helen Ogbu To Contest Galway West Bye-Election

Labour Selects Cllr. Helen Ogbu To Contest Galway West Bye-Election - The Labour Party

• “I will listen deeply, work tirelessly and deliver for the people of Galway West.” – Councillor Helen Ogbu
• “Labour is in this to win it. The Government does not deserve support in this bye-election. Electing Helen will send a real message of change to those in the corridors of power.” – Ivana Bacik TD

The Labour Party has selected Cllr. Helen Ogbu to contest the forthcoming bye-election in Galway West. At a packed selection convention in Galway City, addressed by Party Leader Ivana Bacik TD, Helen generated resounding support for what she pledged would be “a positive campaign, based upon values of equality, fairness and hope; a campaign that provides real solutions to the challenges faced by families and communities across Galway West.”

Addressing the selection convention, Helen said:

“It is an honour to receive the Labour Party nomination to contest this crucial bye-election.  As a dedicated local Councillor, and as a community worker with 20 years’ experience, I understand the realities of everyday life, and how we can work together to effect real change.  I am tested, trusted and rooted in the community.  I promise to listen deeply, work tirelessly and deliver for the people of Galway West.”

Outlining her campaign priorities, Helen focused on housing, public transport and tackling the cost of living:

“The current tired Government does not have the vision or the energy to bring real change to Galway.  It’s time for a fresh start. I’ll be asking the people of Galway for their trust and for their No. 1 vote to make that start.

My top priorities are:

• State-led investment to build social and affordable homes;
• Enhanced bus services and a new light rail project to connect our communities;
• Real action to tackle the cost-of-living crisis with a focus on lower energy bills for families through more renewable energy and through targeting excessive profit taking by big energy companies.”

In a rousing speech to the selection convention, Labour Leader Ivana Bacik TD said:

“Helen Ogbu is one of the most compassionate, thoughtful and determined people I know. She will make a remarkable TD for Galway West. Helen is a fighter. She has overcome immense adversity to build a life in Galway over the past 20 years. At every step of the way she has looked for ways to give back to Galway and its people, standing shoulder to shoulder with communities and families and campaigning for change that matters.

“Values matter in politics. Like me, Helen is driven by the values of equality, fairness and tolerance. We need these values now, more than ever.

“The current Government do not deserve support in this bye-election.  They have abandoned families in the face of a cost-of-living crisis, they are incapable of solving the housing crisis and they can offer nothing to those people who really need support, such as children seeking additional educational services, who remain stranded on waiting lists.

“In this bye-election, we can send a message to the Government – a message that real change is needed.  There is no better woman than Helen to deliver that message and to deliver for the people of Galway West.”

Helen thanked her fellow Labour Galway Councillors Neil MacNelis and John McDonagh for their experience and support since her election to Galway City Council and concluded by saying:

“Galway West deserves a TD who can relate to and represent everyone — regardless of age, background, creed or colour. In a world increasingly marked by division and hostility, I want to campaign on those values Ivana referred to – equality, fairness and tolerance.

“These are the values that drove Michael D Higgins’ remarkable service as a Labour TD for this constituency and subsequently in his role as Uachtarán na hÉireann.   That is the political legacy that inspires me and I am proud to carry that tradition in this crucial bye-election.”