Labour Party mulls ‘consensus’ candidate for leadership

A contest for the leadership of the Labour Party is expected to be parked and a “consensus” candidate may be agreed to unite the party as it seeks to recover from a disastrous general election.

Party sources are playing down the likelihood of a battle between potential leaders as this could take up to 45 days and leave the party “talking among itself” in the wilderness.

Brendan Howlin yesterday strongly hinted that he may put himself forward for the position, following the resignation of outgoing Tánaiste Joan Burton as leader of the party this week.