Could Burton/Kelly ticket prove unstoppable?

Minister of State for Primary Care Alex White will have a battle on his hands when, as expected, he declares his intention to contest the Labour Party leadership tomorrow.

White is likely to have the decisive young deputies Derek Nolan and Ciara Conway in his camp.

But the apparently perfectly balanced "dream ticket" of Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton and Alan Kelly, the junior minister in the Department of Transport, is already ticking a lot of boxes for the Labour grassroots.

Developments today, with a clutch of Munster men bidding for the second-in-command position, have ensured there will be a contest for both positions.

It is clear Kelly fancies his chances as Burton’s number two, while she has kept her counsel on potential deputies.

The rural/urban divide in Labour could be bridged by the Tipperary-based Kelly deputising for Burton the Dubliner.

And the appearance of Westmeath's Willie Penrose at Kelly's side when the younger man said he wanted the second-in-command position this morning is hugely significant.

Penrose is a respected and influential senior figure within the party. His views have a significant influence on grassroots members, particularly outside urban areas.

Kelly was also flanked by Ann Phelan, the Carlow-Kilkenny TD who proposed Burton for the leadership yesterday and presides over a large local branch.

Burton batted off the age issue with some humour and charm when she referred to the slightly older Hillary Clinton’s bid for the US presidency, saying that was probably a bit easier than being leader of the Labour Party.

At 38, Kelly was keen to stress his relative youth and empathy with couples with young families who bought property in the boom times and are now struggling with negative equity.

The gender mix on a Burton/Kelly ticket would also be approved of by many in Labour.

However, one key factor yet to be teased out will be voter appeal and the essential political quality of “likability”.

While not universally loved, Burton has star quality and an authentic appeal. These qualities are not so obvious in Kelly, although his ambition is clear and his electoral record solid.

Kelly's announcement, and confirmation that Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin will not contest, prompted a flurry of activity.

Minister of State for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock rushed out with a declaration he wanted the deputy's position today, despite having previously ruled himself out.

He is not prepared to name his proposer and seconder, however.

Fellow Corkman Michael McCarthy was proposed by Dublin TD John Lyons (very much a Burton man) and Senator Mary Moran, until he discovered the party rules precluded Senators from doing so.

His friend Ciarán Lynch (yet another Cork TD!) was happy to do the honours, however. A smiling Lynch pointed to the Munster rugby song, “Stand up and fight,” to explain the political activity in the province.

These developments may muddy the waters, although many in Labour insist a contest will be good for the party. If White does make his announcement tomorrow, his deputy will have to be carefully chosen in order to broaden his appeal.

The party would also be wise not to let its attention be too greatly deflected from its “day job”: participating in governing the country.