Alan Kelly urges Labour to merge with Social Democrats

Labour TD Alan Kelly has called for his party to merge with the Social Democrats and other like-minded Independents in order to maximise numbers as a group in the Dáil.

The former environment minister also says he was “shafted” on going for the Labour leadership and is “annoyed” at party leader Brendan Howlin preventing a contest.

His interview with Hot Presswill likely ignite debate about the future of Labour after its bruising election results last year and continued low polling.