"A storm in a teacup" - that is the verdict of the deputy leader of the Labour Party Alan Kelly on the leaking of an internal analysis showing the party could lose up to 20 seats.

Since the story appeared in the Irish Times last week there has been hysteria about the source of the potential leak.

While the results were devastating for the party, they should not have been unexpected to members.

The internal analysis detailed how the junior coalition party could potentially lose up to 20 seats in next year’s elections.

Most people in politics could have told you that.

The information came at a crucial time for TDs and Senators. The party has been stuck at 7 per cent in the polls and has struggled despite promises of reduction in taxes and increased Christmas bonus payments.

As Fine Gael continues to soar in the opinion polls, the Labour party has made no gains on the back of Government announcements.

The general election is a mere few months away and TDs across the spectrum are feeling anxious about their fate.

The party analysis did little to settle the nerves of Labour candidates already facing difficult doorsteps.

However, the focus on who could have leaked the information is hysterical and unnecessary.

The details should have served to focus the minds of the junior coalition party.

Instead, TDs and Senators have been quick to judge or fingerpoint at who the leak could be.

Unfortunately for Alan Kelly, he has been the source of their anger.

Mr Kelly has denied he had any part to play in the leaking of the analysis and his party leader Joan Burton has supported her deputy leader.

The alleged leak was the subject of a stormy meeting last week and the Minister for the Environment was not present to address the concerns.

Many saw the leak as an attempt to settle old scores within the party. In reality it was an accurate reflection of where the party stands with the electorate.

No Labour seat in the country can be considered safe.

Despite the attempts by TDs to create a divide between Burton and Kelly it has only served to do the opposite.

The two are now united in condemning the leak and in facing down the challenge ahead of them.

The party would be better placed to join with them rather than play ‘Guess the Leak’. It is pointless and a waste of time.