Burton launches leadership campaign

Joan Burton’s bid for the Labour leadership edged closer last night after her party colleague Brendan Howlin ruled himself out of running for the position.

The public expenditure minister’s decision to stay outside the race now considerably lessons the likelihood of a bitter divide in the party over who will lead it after the resignation of Eamon Gilmore.

Only junior ministers Alex White and Alan Kelly have yet to say if they will or will not contest the leadership.