Labour contenders set out their stalls

The two contenders for the Labour leadership have begun writing to party members with personal messages in a bid to seal their support ahead of a vote for the new leader next month.

Social Protection Minister Joan Burton yesterday sent an email message to the near 5,000-strong membership saying she wanted to lead a “fight” to shift the focus of the recovery.

Her opponent, junior health minister Alex White, posted messages to members yesterday and also said that he was “very confident” of winning the leadership.

Ms Burton’s message was similar to her statement on the Leinster House plinth last week, in which the Dublin West TD highlighted the need for “social repair” alongside economic recovery.

In the private message sent yesterday, she added: “We have fallen short in giving our society the care and repair it so badly needs, which is why, if elected Labour leader, I will fight to shift the focus.

“This means focusing relentlessly on raising living standards for low and middle income families.

“It means building a social as well as an economic recovery — getting more people back to work, building affordable and social housing and new schools, investing in health and reducing inequality.

“Building that social recovery will in turn help us win back the trust and support of voters.”

Mr White said yesterday that he had been assured of support and had a good chance of winning the contest.

He acknowledged that Ms Burton had more experience in politics but told reporters that he had skill from outside the political sphere which would be an advantage as Labour leader.

Earlier, Ms Burton had rejected claims that her robust defence of the welfare budget contributed to the medical card withdrawal controversy.

Some Fine Gael figures have accused Ms Burton of clinging onto funds which should have gone to shore up holes in the health budget overspend.

Ms Burton said she was an experienced negotiator, but that huge savings from her department’s budget had been transferred over to health.

She also insisted that she does “not understand” Health Minister James Reilly’s claim that the political will to end the medical card controversy only emerged in the past week.

“The Taoiseach was hands-on in relation to the Department of Health,” she told RTÉ. “The department was in intensive discussion with the economic management council

“The political will was there on my part to transfer, willingly, significant amounts of money to his departments.

“I was happy to see it going to the Department of Health. I actually don’t agree with him — the desire has been there among the cabinet.

“I don’t really understand because Dr Reilly was at the cabinet table and he was a party to those discussions and obviously as the line Minister he would have to be responsible for his decision – but the cabinet collectively is also responsible.”

Ms Burton also moved to calm Fine Gael fears that she would rock the boat in the Coalition if she is elected Labour leader on July 4.

“I have a very good working relationship with the Taoiseach,” said Ms Burton. “He has supported my drive to get people back to work, and I suspect we would work very well together if I’m elected as leader of the Labour Party."