Labour leadership: Ivana Bacik firm favourite as TDs rule themselves out 

Duncan Smith said he thinks Ivana Bacik, seen here with former Labour leader Alan Kelly, is best placed to lead the party. Picture: Sam Boal

Ivana Bacik is emerging as the firm favourite to take over the leadership of the Labour party as several high profile TDs ruled themselves out of contention.

Following Alan Kelly's announcement on Wednesday that he would be resigning from the leadership of the party, questions have been asked about succession planning, with Ms Bacik, who was elected to the Dáil in a July 2021 by-election, now the firm favourite.