Labor’s Kelly Expresses ‘regret’โฃ Overโ Criticism of Presidential Candidate Backing
Dublin, Ireland – Labour TDโฃ Alan Kelly has moved to quell internal party tensions following his publicโ criticism of Labour’s decision to support autonomous presidential candidate Catherine connolly. Kelly communicated “regret” to party colleagues ifโ his remarks caused “confusion or concern,” according to sourcesโฃ within the Labour Party.
the move โขcomes after Kelly launched โa strong critique onโ Tipp FM radio on Wednesday, โquestioningโข the โคrationale โbehind the party’sโ endorsement of Connolly. He โฃvoiced concernsโฃ over โฃher past criticisms of Labour, particularly her claim that the party “lost its soul” during its time in government.
“[I’m] notโ sure what Catherine Connolly โฃdid to deserveโฃ our support,” Kelly stated in the interview, โadding, “I respect everybody’s views in the party, but I โขwas against this.”
key Concerns Raisedโค by Kelly:
International โRelations: Kelly expressed reservations about Connolly’s views on international affairs, specifically referencing her positions on Syria, Russia, and โtheโ European Union.
Past Criticism: โข He โhighlighted Connolly’s long-standing criticisms ofโ the Labour Party, dating back โคto โ2006.
* โข Associationโฃ with Controversial โฃfigures: Kelly also pointed โto Connolly’s association with โformer Independent TDs Mick Wallace and Clare Daly, and her previous support โขfor Gemma O’Doherty’s 2018 presidential โฃbid, citing O’Doherty’s views on vaccines.
Following the fallout from the interview, Kelly reportedly engaged inโ a “longโค discussion” with โLabour โฃleader Ivana Bacik to “clear the air.” While โhe reaffirmed his dissenting views, he conveyedโฃ his regret for โany resulting confusion orโฃ concern within โthe party.
kelly emphasized that he respected the party’s ultimate decision, despite disagreeing โwith it.
The Labour Party’s Presidential Choice
The Labour Party’s decision to back Catherineโ Connollyโฃ has proven divisive,with Kelly’s public dissent highlighting โthe internal debate surrounding theโ choice. The party is standing by โคits decision, but Kelly’s comments underscoreโข the challengesโฃ of โฃunifying support behind aโฃ candidate who โhas previously been critical of Labour’s policies and performance.
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