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WITH LABOUR NOW officially out of government and its ministers no longer holding seals of office (on an acting basis or otherwise), the issue of the leadership has become a live one.
Labour’s rules state that if the party doesn’t enter government after an election then the leadership comes up for review.
Now that this is a reality and independents have taken Labour’s place at Fine Gael’s side, Joan Burton’s future becomes a pressing question.
The Labour leader kept her seat as a TD for Dublin West meaning she’s eligible to stay on (only Labour TDs can lead the party), but the indications are that she will stand aside.
Speaking to Brendan O’Connor on RTÉ at the weekend, Burton didn’t directly say she was stepping down but sounded like someone who didn’t feel like leadership was her priority anymore.
“I’m very happy to do whatever I can to help the Labour party in its future,” she said, adding that she wants to be “very active in this new Dáil and new politics”.
The Labour parliamentary party is due to meet today and Burton said of the meeting that she doesn’t think the conversation will be specifically about her but rather “the best leadership option for the party”.
In terms of who is in the frame to replace Burton, deputy leader Alan Kelly and former junior minister Seán Sherlock are seen as the favourites, both by the bookies and party insiders alike.
Kelly has already been the most vocal Labour voice in opposition to the new government in its early days. He’s already spoken strongly on issues such as water charges, climate change and the breakup of his previous Department of Environment.
While his abrasive style had been seen as a possible liability during the election campaign, Kelly has been attempting to row back on this perception.
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60 fires in 24 hours? Any culprits yet?
@Oh Mammy: Clearly climate change is the real culprit.
@Oh Mammy: I presume embers blowing in the wind has started up a large proportion of those.
@Brendan O’Brien: poor climate numpties are making zero headway convincing anyone, it’s hilarious lol
@John Jon Jon: Dull bulbs like you can’t be convinced: they only need to be outnumbered.
@Brendan O’Brien: I try to increase my carbon footprint every year :) are you getting treatment for your climate anxiety lol
I wonder what will be the consequences for the lefty arsonist. Bet the journal won’t report on the Tenerife arsonist. Just more climate propaganda. Ryan, gates and Soros must pay well.
While people die, and nature is being destroyed before our eyes, global heating denial is spreading like wildfire among some anonymous keyboard warriors not personally affected.
What could this be saying about them?
Terrible loss of life .. the world is burning .. even canada .. at this rate the Falklands will be the new Ibiza
The far left are now starting fires to push their climate agenda lol
Arsonists, Climate Warriors, Left/Right politics??? Is this all we can say on the death of all these people, immaterial of where they are from? Rest in Peace, all who have perished. May your God comfort your families and loved ones
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