Mr Kelly who has made his ambitions for leadership very clear pushed for a ballot of all members of the party.
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She said: “Alan is a good friend and colleague” but she believes Mr Howlin is the right candidate to be leader.
Mr Howlin replaces Joan Burton, who announced she was stepping down after a disastrous showing in the General Election, which saw the party drop to seven seats.
“I am confident about this party’s future, because we have values that are immutable”.
Labour Brendan Howlin has played down a potentially damaging rift in the party after he became the new leader unopposed.
“Alan Kelly’s heart is in the Labour Party”.
The parliamentary party have had a number of meetings this week to discuss the leadership of the party, however, members would not confirm if any of those wishing to run have obtained a seconder to back their nominations for leader.
But Mr Howlin refused to state whether he would even take part in such a contest if it were to happen.
The latest Red C poll, published last Friday, revealed that support for the Labour party has dropped by two to 5%.
“Today I am immensely proud and deeply humble to become the leader of the Labour Party, their party”.
Mr Howlin paid tribute to former Labour leader Brendan Corish and his father John, who was Mr Corish’s director of elections. I want to thank the huge volume of members who have confirmed that view to me’.
Mr Howlin, 60 and unmarried, has served as a TD for the Wexford constituency since 1987 and was a member of the Seanad before that.
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In that time the former teacher has been Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Health and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
