# Could Labour have done anything to avoid electoral wipeout in 2016? Collapse, part three

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/inside-politics-with-hugh-linehan-1630151/could-labour-have-done-anything-to-avoid-electoral-wipeout-in-2016-collapse-part-three.md
Podcast: [Inside Politics with Hugh Linehan](https://stenobird.com/podcast/inside-politics-with-hugh-linehan-1630151)
Published: 2026-04-08T03:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/inside-politics-2/episodes/gilmore-out-burton-in-but-labour-still-pay-a-heavy-price-col
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6155db9059a3fa00137f30a9/e/69d576ea2a193257ad8c1fda/media.mp3
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Duration seconds: 3113

## Resource

In the final instalment of our series on Labour’s time in government from 2011 to 2016, things get darker as it becomes clear economic progress will not be enough for voters to forgive the party for its role in austerity. Labour’s poor showing in the 2014 local and European elections leads to a change at the top. But Joan Burton’s leadership does not revive Labour’s fortunes. Then, when the disenchanted take to the streets to oppose water charges, the scale of public anger becomes clear - and much of it is still directed at Labour. To wrap up the story, Pat and Hugh talk about the roads not travelled. Could Labour have avoided its 2016 general election wipeout, a political setback it has struggled to recover from ever since? Would you like to receive daily insights into world events delivered to your inbox? Sign up for Denis Staunton's Global Briefing newsletter here: irishtimes.com/newsletters/global-briefing/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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## Transcript

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