Scottish Labour: The Contenders

With Johann Lamont’s resignation on Friday, talk has turned towards the future for Scottish Labour – and who will take over as leader.

Interim leader Anas Sarwar has already ruled himself out. He said: “It is not my intention to publicly declare support for any candidate. That would be wrong in my role as Interim Leader. Rather, I will be fulfilling my responsibility to the members who elected me, asking the same questions of candidates as I am sure they will be.”

1) Jim Murphy is the most common name being touted. In fact some commentators viewed his ‘100 streets in 100 days tour’ in the run up to the referendum as an attempt to drum up support for a leadership bid, though he has yet to declare his candidacy.

As a former Secretary of State for Scotland, Murphy seems well placed to win a race for leader – though a sitting MP becoming Labour leader would raise problems. Firstly, Sarwar would presumably need to stand down as deputy so the leadership had a presence at Holyrood (something Sarwar’s statement neglects to mention).

Secondly, given that Labour has faced criticism – not least from Lamont – for allegedly treating Scotland as an outpost of the UK party, it is not clear what sort of message having a Westminster politician leading would send to members in Scotland.

​See the Holyrood interview with Murphy here.

2) Gordon Brown was praised for speeches made in the tail-end of the referendum campaign, and he has played a central role in pushing the party leaders to keep to their promises for further devolution. As a political heavyweight, and with Ed Miliband apparently calling on him to enter the race, it was always likely Brown would be seen as a contender.

As an MP, Brown would raise the same sorts of problems as Murphy (though he attends parliament less often). Also as Miliband’s old boss, and not a politician likely to follow orders from the HQ, he could bring problems all of his own.

3) There is still ambiguity over Neil Findlay’s plans, with the MSP stating that he was backing Gordon Brown – who has yet to declare whether or not he will enter the race himself. It is not clear if Brown ruling himself out could see Findlay rule himself back in. Tom Watson has seemingly lent the MSP his backing and the shadow health minister could attract support from those towards the left of the party.

See the Holyrood interview with Findlay here.

4) Shadow Secretary for Scotland Margaret Curran will be another possibility, though given that she is close to Lamont politically it would perhaps be a surprise to see Curran want to take over. She is yet to rule herself out.

See the Holyrood interview with Margaret Curran and Johann Lamont here.

5) Former environment minister Sarah Boyack is one who has thrown her name into the ring for nomination, although it isn't clear what her support base is. Holyrood last spoke to her in 2012

Meanwhile Kezia Dugdale, Jackie Bailie and Jenny Marra have all ruled out running, although Dugdale told the Edinburgh Evening News she'd consider the deputy position.