Former Labour TD Patrick Nutty says he has resigned from the Party because they have rowed back on pre-election promises.
The Dublin-West deputy who was elected in the 2011 by election after the death of Brian Lenihan claims the leadership and the cabinet has brought the entire political system into disrepute.
In a statement he has accused them of sacrificing their core principles for their own personal political ambitions.
The Tanaiste and Labour leader says he is not surprised by Patrick Nutty's decision to resign from the party.
Speaking this morning, Eamon Gilmore said the Dublin-West TD - who lost the party whip after refusing to vote for the budget in 2011 - had effectively resigned some time ago.
Patrick Nutty says the main political parties have let the electorate down.
"They've swallowed the EU-IMF deal hook, line and sinker and they've cut child benefit for families - I think that diminishes trust in politics" he said.
"What we need now is a campaign right across civil society for a more equal and equitable society".
"And that means bringing together civil society, trade unions, community groups to campaign for justice in this country - and I think the main political parties have let us down" he added.
He tweeted his decision this morning:
I have formally resigned as a member of the Labour Party as of last night. My statement is here - http://t.co/EMQNb9TOK2 #dubw
— Patrick NultyTD (@PatrickNulty) June 21, 2013
Meanwhile two Wicklow Councillors have announced this morning that they are also stepping down from the Labour Party with immediate effect.
Councillors Tom Fortune and Barry Nevin called a press conference in Bray to outline their reasons for leaving.
Speaking to East Coast News, Councillor Fortune says he has become disillusioned with the direction the party has taken over the past two years.
"Obviously in the first year of the government we all hoped that things would happen the way we had spoke about them on the doorsteps when we were talking to the public" he said.
"For the last 12 months, some of us in Wicklow have been looking for meetings to talk about all kinds of issues and that hasn't happened".
"Then the final straw was the announcement yesterday of the cuts in the SNA education grants and also the cuts to disability that once again is hitting the most vulnerable in our society" he added.
