Labour Youth

Labour Youth succeeded the Young Labour League as a full section of the Party in 1979, under Party Leader Frank Cluskey. Members were active in the election of presidential candidate Mary Robinson, forming a base of membership during the campaign that would provide the backbone of leadership within the organisation for years to come. They provided leadership to the National Youth Council of Ireland and in 1992 were among the founding members of the European Council of Socialist Youth. In 1999, along with the main party, Labour Youth merged with Democratic Left Youth.

The Spring 2007 issue of Labour Youth's internal publication, The Left Tribune, shows support for abortion and same sex marriage, along with contributions from Michael D. Higgins.[3] In the 2007 General Election Labour Youth opposed a pre-election pact with the centre-right party Fine Gael. Also in 2007, it supported the Venezuelan revolution.[4] In 2009, Labour Youth criticised the then government's attitude to education.[5] The Autumn 2007 issue of The Left Tribune promotes Labour Youth's support of Cuba and its endorsement of the International Brigade in Spain, with then Labour Youth Recruitment Officer Enda Duffy featuring in a photograph of a panel at a commemoration event and the noted naming of the UCD Labour Youth branch in honour of Michael O'Riordan.[6] Also in 2009, it collaborated with CYM (linked with the Communist Party) on environmental campaigns.[7] The group undertook an active and visible role in the 2011 Irish General Election in support of young candidates such as Ciara Conway, Patrick Nulty and Derek Nolan. They later called on the Party to abandon talks on forming a coalition government with Fine Gael, describing the proposal as undemocratic.[8]

Since the turn of the 2000s, Labour Youth has run campaigns on repealing the 8th Amendment,[9][10] against sexism,[11][12][13] voting rights for 16 and 17 year olds,[14] workers rights,[15] same sex marriage,[16] sexual consent,[17] ending Direct Provision,[18] along with other issues related to students and young people. Labour Youth also takes an active role in supporting young Labour candidates in elections.

In 2015 Labour Youth released a policy paper on ending Zero Hour contracts.[19] In 2016, it released a document opposing homophobia, transphobia and sexism.[20] In 2017, Labour Youth released a document proposing state funded tuition for higher level education.[21] In December 2017, actions by Labour Youth in Maynooth had been condemned as “juvenile” and “disrespectful” after ‘F*** the Pope’ was posted twice from their official social media account. An image of the Communications Officer of Labour Youth, Liam Haughey, was posted with him holding a sign which read “I am pro-choice because… F*** the Pope”. The Labour Party released a statement acknowledging the posts, saying they were brought to the party’s General Secretary but had since been removed.[22]

In late 2018, in the midst of Ireland's housing crisis, Labour Youth distanced itself from claims by the Labour Party leadership that direct actions such as occupations of buildings were not a valid form of political protest. This was followed by then Labour Youth Chairperson Chloe Manahan stating "Civil disobedience and protest have been core to this movement since its inception. It is crucial that Labour activists feel supported and empowered to do what is moral, just and right – not simply what is allowed”.[23]

Labour Youth played an active role in the 2019 Irish local elections supporting several of their members who ran for local councils. Former Chair Kevin Donoghue was elected to Dublin City Council while former Secretary Ciara Galvin was elected to Kildare County Council.[24][25] As of its website update in 2019, Labour Youth said that it "recognises the importance" of the proposed Che Guevara statue in Galway City.[26] Labour Youth members canvassed for UK Labour in the 2019 UK General Election.[27] In 2019, Labour Youth reiterated its support of the EU.[28][29][30]

Following his election at the Labour Youth National Conference in Waterford City, which was held on the weekend before 25 November 2019, Cormac Ó Braonáin was Labour Youth's Chairperson until his death on 15 December 2019, having been struck dead by a Luas (tram) whilst cycling home from a protest.[31][32][33][34][35] Adrian McCarthy is the current chair of Labour Youth and was elected in March 2020.[36][37]