Independent Donegal councillor Jimmy Harte (52) has joined the Labour Party, it was confirmed today.
Mr Harte has been a member of Letterkenny Town Council since 1994 and a county councillor since 1999. He is the owner of Harte Insurances, an insurance brokers he established in 1982 at the age of 24.
Welcoming the announcement Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore said: "This is a period of strong growth and great opportunity for the Labour Party....membership is at its highest level ever"
Mr Harte said: “People want change – the days of the two established parties leading the country are no more”.
Traditional Fianna Fail voters are moving to Labour particularly those FF voters who work in the public sector, he added.
