Burton's woes intensify as the Far Left presses for Labour's extinction

Tánaiste Joan Burton

Niall O'Connor

August 16 2015 11:49 PM

In just four weeks' time, Labour TDs and senators will gather for their final 'think-in' ahead of a general election that will define the party's future.

Party think-ins - or away days as they are also known - can be important exercises in morale-building and discussions about policy and party strategy.

But Labour's choice of destination for next month's get-together, the picturesque Glen of the Downs in County Wicklow, may prove to be an ill omen for the junior coalition partner.

Labour has lost each and every one of its councillors in the Garden County - a constituency that was once a party stronghold.

As in other parts of the country, Wicklow voters felt a sense of abandonment and instead switched allegiances in their droves to Sinn Féin and the independents.

"A bad day for us here in Wicklow," read the text message sent by sitting TD Anne Ferris to the then party leader Eamon Gilmore following the local election wipe-out.

Ms Ferris, like numerous party colleagues, is now facing the same fate when voters take to the polls again in the coming months.

Yesterday's 'Sunday Times' opinion poll, which puts Labour on a miserable 6pc support, has sent a fresh wave of panic through the Labour Party's ranks.

Bar the odd exception, the political career of each member of the parliamentary party is hanging by a thread.

Veterans who were likely to successfully defend their seats, such as Eamon Gilmore, Pat Rabbitte and Jack Wall, have all decided to call it a day.

Many of the first-time TDs elected on the back of the 'Gilmore gale' in 2011 are privately planning for the inevitable: a future career outside of politics.

Tánaiste Joan Burton will undoubtedly endure several sleepless nights as she prepares for the most challenging task of her political career - saving her party from extinction.

The task facing Ms Burton is made even more difficult by a number of factors.

Firstly, her supposed fractious relationship with Labour's deputy leader, Alan Kelly, is causing growing unease among Labour figures. If several ministers are to be believed, the lack of chemistry between the pair has been all too apparent at recent cabinet meetings.

Mr Kelly's decision to facilitate speculation about his leadership ambitions has created further tensions with Ms Burton's camp.

While nobody was anticipating the perfect political marriage, some form of relationship therapy is required.

But Labour's electoral hopes also face a different type of hurdle as a result of the dramatic fallout from the Jobstown protest.

The expected decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prosecute Socialist TD Paul Murphy was met with anxiety by senior Labour figures.

The pending trial involving Mr Murphy and Ms Burton could have a profound impact on the doorsteps.

Mr Murphy's mission is one of divide and conquer.

He is embarking on a strategy of attack, one which aims to turn the working class - Labour's former support base - against Ms Burton's party.

His claim that the people of Jobstown "hate" Ms Burton is illustrative of the expected tone of the election campaign.

Labour's repeated claims that Ireland is in a much better place as a result of the party's role in Government is undoubtedly correct.

But the party's greatest threat is now firmly coming from the left, as 'posh trot' Murphy and Co aim to consign Labour to the political scrapheap.

Burton's woes intensify as the Far Left presses for Labour's extinction

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