Bid to boost Labour’s bruised spirit

Barrister and junior health minister Alex White must have known the moment he backed a gang-of-eight coup, against Labour leader Eamon Gilmore, there would be no going back.

Despite the fact Mr Gilmore had made him the poster boy of Labour’s future and helped elevate his career within the party ranks more than any other figure, Alex White turned the knife on his mentor.

The 55-year-old has now come centre stage in his own bid for the leadership. What lies ahead in the coming weeks may boost the bruised party’s profile and spirit, especially for those who got a mauling in last week’s local and European elections. But it could be a bloodbath depending on who sides with Mr White or Joan Burton, the other contender.