Measured efforts could see Labour getting a lifeline for survival

Labour is now less loved. Its previous tally of 37 seats will likely be halved, if all goes well, writes Gerard Howlin

AS LABOUR goes, so goes the country. No other decision compares to the knock-on effect for the country politically, as the verdict of voters on a handful of potentially viable but clearly threatened Labour seats. I am thinking of TDs like Kathleen Lynch in Cork North Central, Joe Costello in Dublin Central, Joanna Tuffy in Dublin Mid-West or Michael McCarthy in Cork South West. Of 37 TDs elected for the party in 2011, four defected and 33 remain. Of the 33, seven are retiring.

Of the 26 running again, some are beyond hope or help. Councillor Mark Wall in Kildare South might buck the trend and be a successful new candidate for the party.