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.

The junior minister clearly set himself apart from Ms Burton, the Social Protection Minister, at his campaign launch yesterday on the newly built Rosie Hacket Bridge. The connection over the Liffey between North and South Dublin —named after the former trade unionist and 1916 Easter Rising insurgent — was a fitting place.

With a regal red rose pinned to his lapel and flanked by three TDS and a senator, Mr White signalled he was more than a party rebel. He mentioned his grandfather who was a trade unionist and said he had concerns about cuts to public services. The former RTÉ producer was clearly pitching to grassroot members and workers.

Like Ms Burton, he cited Labour traditional values as important.

He also floated the idea of tax cuts, a proposition which of course appeals to many but is now being trumpeted on a weekly basis by ministers.

Nonetheless, there was a strong emphasis on reform, renewal and newness in his quayside speech.

Surprisingly, nothing was raised about the age difference between the two candidates after predictions it would be an issue in the contest once Mr White announced his intentions.

In the weeks ahead, we can expect the former chairman of the Oireachtas Finance Committee to target Ms Burton’s role at Cabinet and the failed promises Labour made to voters before the last general election.

He mentioned the need for Labour to be “straight” with people, for political reform and called for an “honesty for the future”.

Mr White, will have his difficulties in the coming days as Labour members will surely question his role overseeing the medical card debacle as junior health minister.

And it was only on the eve of his leadership bid announcement this week, we finally learned of some reprieve for patients and families — with the suspension of the medical card reviews announced.

What a coincidence that Mr White was gifted with making the announcement in the Dáil chambers, and not health minister James Reilly or even Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Is this a sign from Mr Kenny that he would prefer Mr White as his number 2? Moreover, why did Mr White not move to instigate the U-turn on the medical card reviews weeks ago when such an announcement might have eased tensions on the doorsteps with voters and saved a few Labour councillors’ seats?

His bid to lead Labour has also been damaged by his role in the ousting of Eamon Gilmore. He might not have threatened to resign but he was ready to back the motion of no confidence, a move which has been criticised.