Kelly steps down as Labour leader

Portroe native Alan Kelly has announced that he is stepping down as Labour Party leader, claiming the parliamentary party had lost collective confidence in his leadership.

A clearly emotional Deputy Kelly confirmed his decision in a statement delivered outside Leinster House on Wednesday night. The Tipperary TD acknowledged that the party had not made the progress he would have liked in opinion polls under his leadership. He said it was hard to get momentum as a party leader during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Deputy Kelly said he would continue as a TD for Tipperary, and plans to contest the next General Election. He also plans to stay on in his role until a new leader is appointed. The Tipp TD also paid tribute to his family and was joined by his wife Regina and two children.

Less than two years ago, Deputy Kelly became Labour leader when he beat Aodhán O Ríordáin in the race to succeed Brendan Howlin, who stepped down following the party's poor performance in the 2020 General Election. Some sources expect, Ivana Bacik, who was only elected as a TD for the Dublin Bay South constituency in a by-election in July 2021, to succeed Deputy Kelly.