Gilmore rules out third candidate in Westmeath race

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has ruled out any suggestions of a third candidate being added to the party ticket in the Longford/Westmeath constituency on Friday last. Gilmore was in Monksland, Athlone, while canvassing with Roscommon/South Leitrim candidate, Cllr John Kelly when he responded to speculation that the Labour Party was about to add a third candidate in the nearby constituency of Longford/Westmeath. “As you know, we had our selection convention and our candidates for Longford/Westmeath are Cllr Mae Sexton and Deputy Penrose. We will not be adding any further candidates,†he told waiting reporters. Deputy Gilmore said the party was very confident of securing two seats in Longford/Westmeath and one in Roscommon, as part of the party's overall strategy to bring about a Labour-led Government. “Commentators were very quick to dismiss the idea of a Labour-led Government when it was first mooted but now it is clear that this is an option voters are now seriously considering,†he said. “We have 50 days to rid ourselves of cronyism and insider Government. We have 50 days to elect a Government that will go to work every day to create jobs and build a sustainable economic recovery. “We have 50 days to do what has never been done before – to elect a Labour-led Government, a Government that is driven by the concerns of the many, not the insider-few.†“This is a great country, and our people are more than equal to the task we face.  Labour is building a better future for our children, of ensuring that our best days are still to come.†Earlier in the day, Deputy Gilmore gave a firm commitment on Roscommon Hospital, telling local radio that the Labour Party would reverse any cuts that might be made by the HSE to acute services, between now and the general election. “The Labour Party is 100 per cent behind Roscommon Hospital and Mr. Gilmore couldn't have spelled it out any stronger,†added Cllr Kelly. “Both myself and Deputy Gilmore have made it quite clear that the HSE should not use this lead-in time to the General Election in March to implement changes such as downgrading services at Roscommon Hospital.