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How Labour figures reacted to the Irish referendum result

We now know the result of yesterday’s referendum in Ireland about equal marriage – and it is a landslide in favour of equal rights for the LGBT community:

As Labour peer and veteran LGBT activist Michael Cashman points out, it is days like today where you can reflect on how far we’ve come:

The Labour leadership candidates all celebrated the result. Andy Burnham said it was an “historic vote”:

Earlier in the day, Yvette Cooper said she was “delighted” by the early signs:

Mary Creagh celebrated her Irish heritage:

And Liz Kendall sent her congratulations across the Irish Sea:

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy said he hoped Northern Ireland would now follow suit:

Several of the deputy leadership candidates also joined in the celebrations. Angela Eagle, who is in a civil partnership, expressed her feelings succinctly:

Caroline Flint commented early on that things were “looking good”:

And Tom Watson reflected on “a moment of glad grace”:

But we’ll leave the last word to Ireland’s Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Irish Labour TD, Joan Burton:

You’re not wrong, Joan. Sláinte.

Tags: Ireland / Equal marriage / LGBT rights / The Irish Labour Party /
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