Lacerated Labour left looking for a lifeline

The fall-out from its disastrous election performance was reflected in a stormy six-hour meeting this week, but the Labour party faces an enormous task to revive its fortunes and regain the trust and support of the electorate, writes Political Correspondent Juno McEnroe

A bruised and battered Labour party is now at a crossroads where its very existence is in question. ‘Every little hurts’ was what the traditionally left-wing group once trumpeted as a warning against Fine Gael’s post-election plans before the 2011 election. But it was every little mean cash-saving measure that Labour supported in government that returned to hurt the party after its joint tenure with Fine Gael over the last five years.

As a result, voters punished Labour. Just seven TDs were returned, compared to the 37 in the previous election.