Quinn backs Gilmore for Labour leadership

Former Labour leader Ruairí Quinn today backed Eamonn Gilmore's bid to become the party's next leader.

Former Labour Party leader Ruairi Quinn has today backed Eamonn Gilmore's bid to become the party's next leader. Photo: Frank Miller

Mr Quinn, who led the party from 1997 to 2002, said the Dún Laoghaire TD was the best-qualified person to undertake the "enormous responsibility".

He said the task of leadership in a political organisation, particularly when it is not in power can be difficult, but he believed Mr Gilmore, "leading a team of dedicated and experienced members, can make a real difference".

Labour's chief whip Emmet Stagg yesterday also backed Mr Gilmore's bid, saying he believed he was best placed to lead the party at this stage in the run up to the local and European elections in June 2009 and the next Dail election in 2012.

Mr Gilmore yesterday became the first senior Labour figure to formally enter the leadership race in the wake of Pat Rabbitte's decision to resign following a disappointing general election for the party.

Annoucing his candidacy, Mr Gilmore said his focus would not be on electoral strategy or future coalitions but on "the renewal of Labour in Ireland".

His chances were given a considerable boost on Monday when former deputy leader Brendan Howlin, and one of the pre-race favourites, declared he would not run.

Mr Howlin's decision is also likely to boost the prospects of finance spokeswoman Joan Burton, who is due to make an announcement later this week.

Ms Burton said yesterday she was still taking soundings and had not managed to speak to all members of the parliamentary party.

Other possible leadership contenders who have yet to declare their intentions include Dublin North East TD Tommy Broughan and acting leader Liz McManus. Dublin North West TD Róisín Shortall announced this evening that she would not be contesting the leadership.

So far only Limerick East TD Jan O'Sullivan has declared her candidacy for the position of deputy leader.

But yesterday newly elected Cork South Central TD Ciarán Lynch said he was considering entering the race after being approached by a number of party members.