Labour pains inevitable in Howlin’s quest for rebirth of party

After 1987, Dick Spring dragged Labour up from its nadir of 6.5% of the vote. Brendan Howlin is now in a similar position but the party’s time in government remains a problem, writes Political Correspondent Juno McEnroe

LOSSES can often be turned to advantages. In politics, losing is a painful game though, and disastrous electoral outcomes are desperately tough to overcome or even forget.

Time helps.