The first of the Hustings took place last night in Dublin. I was amazed at the turnout. The ballroom of the Westbury Hotel was packed to capacity and proceedings
Went on long past the scheduled finish time to say nothing of the post meeting discussions.

It was a lively exchange of views. I chose to concentrate on some policy ideas about education, environment and the economy and these views were well received and provoked quite intense debate. A summary of my speech is on this website. The Labour Party is at its best when debate is free and open and we need to learn lessons from that in the next few years as new candidates will emerge in the course of those debates and can be tested by their capacity to contribute.

Jan and I went Head to head both in yesterday’s Irish Times and later on RTE’s Drivetime show in the late afternoon. At first people said there was little to choose between us but now some distinct lines of a different approach to the job are emerging and no doubt will become clearer as the debate goes on and moves to provincial venues later this week and next.

I went down the country at the weekend to canvass and was pleased I am able to muster a high level of support in country branches and among Labour councillors. Fortunately I know any members personally from my time as Vice Chair and other Labour Party positions I have held and this will stand to me. There is an anxiety about the party’s weaknesses and an understanding that these need to be quickly addressed by the new leadership team.

I was glad to take a break on Sunday evening when I got back. We went to see the movie Atonement based on Ian McEwan’s novel. It is a remarkable film and superbly made and acted. I read the novel when it was published and recall the chapters about the British retreat to Dunquirke in 1940 as some of the best chapters I have read in recent fiction. The filming of those episodes is particularly good.

Yesterday I got news of Joe Sherlock’s death in Mallow. Joe had his office next door to mine in Leinster House so we often had occasion to discuss events as we went back to that corridor. He had a lively mind and very sharp views which I always enjoyed hearing. I’m thrilled he lived to see the Cork East seat retained by his son Sean who now takes over that office.