Tom Johnson Summer School
Issued : Monday 24 August, 2009
Fiachra Ó Céilleachair attended the annual Tom Johnson Summer School, organised by Labour Youth from Saturday 28th to Sunday 29th June 200 at the Menlo Park Hotel, Galway. This year's theme was "No more waiting - Labour is ready to lead"
The event will include a wide range of key debates concerning the future of the party.
Labour Party local election candidates and party strategists will debate plans as to how the party will grow in the next years local elections. (Saturday the 28th of June, 10.30-12.30).
The school will host a debate on the future of the relationship between the Labour Party and the unions with contributions from leading trade unionists, Jack O'Connor (SIPTU) and John Douglas (Mandate) and Labour TDs Jan O'Sullivan and Brendan Howlin (Saturday 28 June, 3-5).
Journalist Vincent Browne will debate with Joan Burton TD on the topic "Can Labour make a major breakthrough". (Sunday 29 June, 10.30-12.30).
Former candidate for the leadership of the British Labour Party and anti-war campaigner John McDonnell will speak on renewing grassroots democracy in the British Labour Party and fighting New Labour and the Tories. (Sunday, 29 June, 2pm).
Eamon Gilmore will give the annual Jim Kemmy address (Saturday 28 June, 8pm) and will present the annual Jim Kemmy award-described as "one of the highest tributes the party can give to one of its own".
Speaking in advance of the school, the Director of the event, Paul Dillon, said: "Labour members are determined that our party will build and grow and fulfil the mission set out by our party leader Eamon Gilmore TD to become the leading party in Ireland by 2020 or sooner. This weekend will allow us to discuss the strategies needed to end Labour's status as the third party in Irish politics."
