Untimely public squabble provides another blow to a struggling party

Gilmore is safe for now, but a drubbing at the polls could reignite the debate, says Political Editor Mary Regan.

“RIGHT party, right name, right time” — this is how one supporter described then Labour candidate, Nessa Childers, during a canvass for the last European elections in April 2009.

How things have changed five years on, with candidates running a mile from the party brand and one going as far as to hang her leader out to dry in a desperate attempt to win some popularity.