Dick Spring's resignation as Labour leader is worrying for two other parties in the Dail. His statement at the annual conference last April that Labour would not enter government again with Fianna Fail no longer stands. The new leader, be it Ruairi Quinn or Brendan Howlin, is bound by no such pledge and in addition would be far more acceptable to FF than Spring, who is greatly disliked by certain Fianna Fail-ers since the Brendan Smith/Harry Whelehan debacle two years ago.
Fine Gael is now worrying that Labour will cosy up to FF (particularly if Quinn, who is close to Bertie Ahern, wins) and bypass a future alliance with it. The PDs must also be concerned. There are two by-elections pending and should the Government lose both, which is unlikely, instability is bound to creep in, despite the best efforts of the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste Mary Harney. Other banana-skins could appear any time. Should the Government lose the confidence of the Dail, a coalition between FF and a Labour party ruled by anyone but Spring could not be ruled out.
Indeed there was speculation this week that Spring stepped down to allow just such a development, before or after the next election. He could return to the position he performed so well - Minister for Foreign Affairs - or possibly succeed Padraig Flynn as our EU Commissioner in 1999.
Meanwhile, Spring tried to break up the continuing love-in, in government and opposition, between FG and Democratic Left, by suggesting a merger of Labour and DL. It is unlikely. Labour and DL are not nearly as friendly as FG and DL, which are continually praising each other. Witness Pat Rabbitte's defence of John Bruton on the presidential campaign in the current Magill, and Fine Gael's decision to give one of its places on the Committee of Public Accounts to Rabbitte when he lost on the ballot.
As for the next Labour leader, even those on the inside won't call it. The general council of the party is too unknown to predict its preference. Judging by the body language in Leinster House this week, Howlin has it over Quinn.