I see that Joan Burton is the latest person to announce her intention to stand for election for the leadership of the Labour party.

Ooops, I mean the Deputy leadership.

Liz McManus announced today she is not running for leader. Brendan Howlin is not going to run. Ruairi Quinn won’t run.

Why does nobody want the leadership? Is it that much of a poisoned chalice? Is it that undesirable a job? Does the Labour party not have enough people with ambition to lead?

It looks bad at this stage. Maybe everybody has taken soundings and they know they won’t win. Irrespective of the reason, it does make me want to look at the Labour party a little more to try to understand what is wrong.

Comments or suggestions are welcome.