Pat Rabbitte: A leadership battle is not what Labour needs

The question now facing the Labour Party is not who will lead it, but what it stands for

Joan Burton resigns as Labour leader last week Picture: Bryan Meade

The Labour Party might have used the prolonged government formation interregnum to sort out its post-election leadership issues in preparation for the 32nd Dáil. A leadership contest now will mean a further seven weeks in a political limbo that the party can ill afford. Some party members may want a contest but is it desirable that the party continues to sideline itself until close to the summer parliamentary recess? In the circumstances and ...