Labour members call for leadership election

A number of Labour party members are calling for a change of leadership as the party meets this afternoon.

Labour retained just seven seats after a disastrous election.

A number of former TDs have called for a leadership election and backed Brendan Howlin to run.

Ex-TD Michael McCarthy said that it may be time for Joan Burton to go: “My view is that whatever needs to be done about the next leader, needs to be done, sooner rather than later.

“The rules of the party are very clear about what happens.

“And I think the process we need to embark upon in terms of recovering Labour fortunes in our local authorities, the National Parliament if that means Joan Burton’s leadership ends sooner rather than later then so be it.”