The 2014 Labour Party leadership election was held following the resignation of Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore as Leader of the Labour Party in the aftermath the party's poor showing at the local and European elections. A postal ballot was held to elect a successor. Nominations opened on 27 May and closed on 2 June.
Candidates Two candidates contested the leadership election: Joan Burton, Deputy leader and Minister for Social Protection Alex White, Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for primary care
Deputy leader Along with the position of leader, there was also an election to fill the Deputy leadership that fell vacant on the resignation of the Leader. Four candidates contested it.
Ciara Conway, TD for Waterford Alan Kelly, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport with responsibility for public and commuter transport Michael McCarthy, TD for Cork South-West Seán Sherlock, Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills and at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with responsibility for research and innovation
Debates There were 5 leadership election debates held across Ireland during the election campaign. 2014 Labour Party leadership election debates N°. Date Place Leadership candidates Deputy Leadership candidates Participant. Non-invitee. Absent invitee. BurtonWhiteConwayKellyMcCarthySherlock 19 June 2014Radisson Blu Hotel,Dublin Airport 216 June 2014Clayton Hotel,Galway 319 June 2014Rochestown Park Hotel,Douglas, Cork 421 June 2014Tom Johnson Summer School,Portlaoise Heritage Hotel,Portlaoise 526 June 2014Mansion House, Dublin
Result Joan Burton was elected as leader with 78% of the vote. Alan Kelly was elected as deputy leader. Leadership electionCandidateVotes% Joan Burton 2,09477.0% Alex White 607 22.3%Spoiled 190.7%
Deputy leader electionCandidateVotes%Alan Kelly 1,40951.5%Seán Sherlock46717.1%Michael McCarthy43816.0%Ciara Conway42115.4%Spoiled 30.1%
References