Burton can take heart from deputy leader hopefuls

Joan Burton can probably take heart from the profile of those so far declaring their interest in the Labour deputy leadership since all who want to be number two are rural and male.

The implication is the number one is going to be a Dublin woman, and there seems to be only one person fitting that bill running for leadership so far.

Yesterday saw Alan Kelly, Séan Sherlock and Michael McCarthy put their names in the running for the deputy leadership.

The feeling in Labour is that Burton will win comfortably, even though Alex White, Minister of State for Health, will announce his leadership candidacy this morning.

Waterford-based Ciara Conway, a supporter of White and one of the so-called gang of eight who tabled a motion of no confidence in Eamon Gilmore this week, is also tipped to run for the deputy leadership as a counterbalance to White, a Dublin barrister.

Oust Gilmore

At this week’s parliamentary Labour Party meeting White denied he was part of a plot to oust Gilmore and said he was not planning to resign as a Minister. He did, however, confirm he was going to tell Gilmore he had lost confidence in his leadership and he had been informed of the motion of no confidence.

Either way, he was making calls before last weekend about the leadership and he has dirtied his bib across the party from Ministers down to rank-and-file members.

Yet some people caution against writing White off, pointing out that this is a four-week campaign and much can change by the time postal votes are counted on July 4th.

All Labour Party members are entitled to vote for leader and deputy leader in the elections, and lapsed members have been given time to pay any back-fees which may be due.

At this stage it is still Burton’s to lose, with TDs who would not be her biggest fans convincing themselves she will do a good job. However, White could position himself as next in line to succeed her if he runs a decent campaign.