Labour backbenchers round on party leadership

Labour backbenchers rounded on the party’s leader and senior ministers over the long-term damage caused to the party by a series of broken promises.

The parliamentary party met yesterday ahead of the crucial vote on the Social Welfare Bill, with one TD saying the meeting reflected “a sense of bewilderment with how we got into this mess in the first place”.

Angry contributions were directed at the party leader, Eamon Gilmore, Social Protection Minister Joan Burton, Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin and Education Minister Ruairi Quinn.