Labour NI backs main aim of breakaway party

The secretary of the Labour Party in Northern Ireland (LPNI) has said he supports a breakaway group of party members whose aim is to have the national Labour Party field election candidates in the Province.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Apr 2016, 20:21 BST
Updated 13th Apr 2016, 20:22 BST
Boyd BlackBoyd Black
Boyd Black

Boyd Black was commenting after the newly formed Northern Ireland Labour Representation Committee (NILRC) announced it was standing eight candidates in next month’s Assembly election.

Mr Black said his party’s official position remained the same as before the NILRC was formed.

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“They are not Labour Party candidates so the Labour Party does not endorse them,” he said.

“We haven’t seen their manifesto at this point in time, so I don’t know what they are standing on but, insomuch as they support our demand that the Labour Party runs candidates here, we would support them.”

Mr Black said he has no idea if the party’s national executive committee has any concerns about the latest development.

“I think they were aware of the possibility that this would happen, because it had been suggested that this was going to happen, but I haven’t heard any comment from them,” he added.

Labour rebels defy party leadership to set up new party in NI

Related topics:Labour PartyNorthern IrelandProvince