He stated he could not support adding more debt and called on Labour party TDs to join him on the opposition benches to oppose elements of the Government's economic policy. Social Democratic Union In April 2014, it was reported that Broughan had left the Labour Party, was forming a "Social Democratic Union" for his constituency supporters, and hoped like-minded Independent TDs would join. The group is unconnected to the Social Democrats, formed by Broughan's former Labour Party colleague Róisín Shortall along with two other Independent TDs. Broughan has ruled himself out of joining the new party stating he planned to remain an Independent deputy. As of July 2015, the Social Democratic Union remains unregistered. 2016 general election At the 2016 general election, he stood as an Independents 4 Change candidate in the Dublin Bay North constituency. He was re-elected to the Dáil. He voted for Richard Boyd Barrett for Taoiseach when the 32nd Dáil first met. Broughan left the party on 26 July 2016. On 22 January 2020, he announced that he would not be contesting the 2020 general election. References External links 1947 births Living people Alumni of University College Dublin Alumni of the University of London Independent TDs Irish schoolteachers Labour Party (Ireland) TDs Local councillors in Dublin (city) Members of the 27th Dáil Members of the 28th Dáil Members of the 29th Dáil Members of the 30th Dáil Members of the 31st Dáil Members of the 32nd Dáil Politicians from County Dublin Independents 4 Change TDs