Katy Clark has ruled herself out of the Scottish Labour leadership race, as nominations opened to find a successor to Anas Sarwar. The MSP, who had been weighing a bid, announced on Monday that she would not run and urged the eventual winner to pursue a more diverse candidate selection.
Her decision may boost Monica Lennon, who returns to Holyrood in September after Mr Sarwar moved to the House of Lords. Ahead of nominations opening, Lennon said the contest "reeks of misogyny and male entitlement" amid reports that she had yet to gather the required support.
Lennon, like competitors Michael Marra and Joe Fagan, needs the backing of three party MPs and three MSPs to proceed.
Clark calls for working-class and female candidates
Announcing her decision, Clark - understood to be concerned about a "continuity candidate" winning - said: "We need to remember that we are a socialist party. We were created by the trade unions and others to be a voice for working-class people."
She added: "This leadership contest is the opportunity to discuss how we turn this idea of a Parliament which delivers for working-class communities and regenerates our local economies into a reality. That means selecting more candidates from working-class communities and more women, as well as a much better representation of those from ethnic minority backgrounds."
Clark also said the next leader should push for key public services, including social care and buses, to be brought into public ownership.
Marra and Fagan make their pitches
Michael Marra, who has already secured the support needed for the ballot, said before nominations opened: "I'm running in this contest to unite and renew the Scottish Labour Party. Having spoken to and listened to colleagues across our movement it is clear we have to rediscover our sense of moral purpose. To offer hope again and to spell out what Scottish Labour is for, not simply who and what we are against. That means drawing on the strength and talent of all of our movement."
Joe Fagan, formerly leader of South Lanarkshire Council, welcomed the backing of MSP Paul Sweeney. Fagan said: "Paul understands that Scottish Labour cannot be a party of the Holyrood bubble. We have to bring our party back to the service of our movement and the people of Scotland."
All three contenders have written for the Scotland on Sunday newspaper to set out their pitches to party members.
Lennon attacks 'misogyny' in contest
On Sunday, Lennon said on social media that there should be no "coronation or a contest without women". She said: "This 'contest' reeks of misogyny and male entitlement. That's the road to nowhere. We're not here for a social life or to win an occasional debate. We were created to win power for working-class communities and lead in government, not from the gutter."
Party members and affiliated supporters will vote between August 28 and September 17. The new leader will be announced on September 19.
