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THE IMF APPEARS to have weighed in behind Joan Burton as the next leader of the Labour party.
In a report on the Irish economy, the IMF described her as the “leading candidate” for the head of the junior coalition partner, and noted that she would be likely to stick to the plan for cuts in upcoming Budgets.
The IMF has called for €2 billion in spending cuts and tax increases in October’s Budget.
The report, which is the IMF’s first post-bailout review of Ireland, does not mention Alex White but instead highlights about Joan Burton’s approach to the economy.
“Deputy Prime Minister Gilmore resigned as leader of the Labour party – the junior coalition partner – and the selection of a new leader is underway,” the report says.
“The leading candidate has indicated that her intention is to remain in the coalition and to maintain the fiscal targets for 2015, while also emphasising the need for social repair alongside economic repair”.
In a conference call with journalists yesterday, the IMF downplayed the comment and said they had not spoken directly with Joan Burton about what her approach would be if elected leader.
When asked about their difference of opinion with the government on how severe the Budget cuts should be, the IMF said it was a “modest and reasonable difference of views”.
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Thanks for the endorsement. More reason to keep voting for other parties.
Joan Burton – Icebergs – Titanic – Lifeboats – Captain Eamonn Gilmore – much too late for Labour and This awful Coalition of FG/Lab.
Junior Labour Minister, Alan Kelly on RTE’s Morning Ireland today didn’t even want to speak about The Labour Party – it was all about attacking SF !
Labour know it’s all over – When will Enda & FG admit it and go to The President in The Park and call the necessary General Election – for the sake of everyone left in this Country ?
Labour / FG – The Rob the Poor and give to the Rich / Bondholders , Parties !
So there you have it, our overlords weigh in behind their Yes Man/Woman.
Disgusting remark
“The IMF is getting behind Joan Burton as the next Labour leader”
Somebody pass the K-Y gelee
@Eva: Actually he’s spot on (let me guess, you think it’s disgusting because she’s a woman and sexist and whatever)
The IMF has no place in endorsing any candidate. It’s (supposedly) still an internal decision.
All this does though is further expose what Enda so blatantly did last week – that “democracy” in this country is dead!
Disgusting reply!
@Eva, he wasn’t calling her a Manwoman. He was highlighting the complete lack of interest the IMF have in the candidate, so long as their austerity measures are imposed. Man or woman, they don’t care as long as it’s done.
Well spotted Conor. Some people will see fault where there is none.
So, explain to me what’s disgusting about it?
@ Eva Leonard.
whats so disgusting about the remark ?
So the IMF have identified another patsy to carry on with their torture of the irish people.
The IMF always supports anything that impoverishes ordinary people.
Are they IMF aware of how unpopular they are in Ireland and this is actually a push to get Alex White elected? Either way this crowd should stay out of our “democratic” elections.
Who cares who wins the leadership. Labour are finished in this country.
No they are not. They are not going to get re-elected any time soon but the electorate have very very short memories. FF is one of the biggest parties in the country despite the fact that they have destroyed this country for generations to come. It’s naive to think that this fallout will last longer than a few years.
Who cares who wins the leadership. Labour are finished in this country.
– No – they are not – most will retire on good pensions – but guess who are finished ???
– and so much for our so called ” sovereignty”– a sick joke
Well there you have it…..A vote for Joan is a vote for the puppet master.
I personally would like to thank the IMF for finally admitting to openly interfering with the internal political decisions of the citizens of the “sovereign, independent, democratic state” of Ireland, with regards to the leadership election of one of the Governments parties
Would anybody care to guess where I got the words “sovereign, independent, democratic state”?
Would you believe ARTICLE 5 of BUNREACHT NA hÉIREANN, CONSTITUTION OF IRELAND.
So would Minister Joan Burton care to condemn the actions of the IMF, and demand that they withdraw this article and apologise to the Irish people?
She is part of the old guard so if elected as Labour leader there would be no changes at all sameo, sameo. Enda in drag
Is this supposed to endear us to the IMF? Or to Joan Burton? Because it’s not working in either respect.
I bet she’s over the moon with that ringing endorsement! I think it can be safely said that her leadership ambitions have been brought to a screeching halt…
Screeching being the operative word..
Joan will fall in line with FG never fear, she will blow hot and bluster for a while but will gradually fall in line. Remember she is the one getting people to work 19 hrs a week for 20 euros.
even more pointlessness to this pointless party
Let me express my gratitude to the IMF for speeding the fall of this corrupt and terrible government.
1.4billion increments to top civil servants in Ireland in the last 4yrs. Yes IMF we need to cut 2billion from people who have the least…
The IMF is after our water and the Lab rats will give them anything they want.
This is a slippery slope, next thing is that Hillary will have Joanie on speed-dial.
WTF !!
IMF ❤️ JB
James Connolly approves this message !
Merely reporting the facts, i.e. Joan Burton is well ahead in the opinion polls. To suggest they are backing her is a bit of a Piers Morganism.
“and noted that she would be likely to stick to the plan for cuts in upcoming Budgets.”.
That’s not just stating the facts. That’s expressing an opinion on a candidate’s suitability.
She will make a great leader and work well with enda to clean up this mess we are in
Actually, you’re spot on, Ben Gunn. She is the iron fist of progressive politics. LOL.
She may well be a good leader, but’s that’s not for the IMF to decide.
John I am a very hard working individual who gives my time voluntary to people in distress , I do not allow any piece of legislation to go unchallenged because of the destruction it has caused people lives. Currently we are in a warp of dead mans growth like the Japanese style of Economical growth. Joan is like an individual that has no real ability to consider any piece of legislation against her decisions in her current ministerial role. Her 1 st of July 2014 lone parent changes will open up the flood gates to the courts as she has in her stupidity taken an idea not tested it ignored equal rights laws and anti discrimination laws, by this regard these families have a right to sue the state.
From 1st of next month, these people will have a letter in their hand stating because Joan piece of legislation states you are a species in Irish society this is what is going to happen.
She has put herself in the thick of this. The families effected will get free legal aid to sue her office because their income is under €18,000 she is a disaster that lacks vision or any fair or equal balance on procedures . As I said I meet all walks of life unlike Joan I don’t look to get paid.
So does the IMF comment on Mrs Joan Burton imply we were right to give Labour the boot kicking in the last local election, I think the IMF have just concreted that for us because Joan now according to them will accept cut backs from instruction from them and follow as a yes nodding donkey the ideology of austerity with no growth higher than the current 0.3% . Alas Labour will be now surely booted out at the next election along with the other ding dongs Fine gael.
Thank you IMF for that insider information as to the performance of our government standing up to you for our country. Take this message get lost and Joan start to look forward to walking the plank before 2016
Of course they are. She will do exactly what they want.
Austerity Joan supports water charges
What business is it of theirs? They now seek to control who parties chose as their leaders, and who sits in Government? The arrogance. Why don’t they just take over and deal with the day to day shit themselves?
Enjoy the last year or so Joan you then will be with rest of your party GONE for good .
Does look like Joan is going to take over as leader.Why would the IMF not support her.Her Thatcherite approach to economics is there for all to see.And she would be a fitting leader of the most right wing party in the country at the present time
The kiss of death for Joan?
have your say