Michael Marra, a Scottish Labour MSP tipped to stand for the leadership, has said his party needs “big changes” after another election defeat. Marra said Labour had gone “backwards” for over twenty years and is taking soundings from colleagues.
Leadership vacancy after Sarwar quits
As revealed by the Record on Tuesday, outgoing Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has quit to become a peer and a minister in Andy Burnham’s Government. His departure creates a vacancy, with senior party figures including Marra, fellow MSP Paul Sweeney and soon-to-be MSP Monica Lennon tipped as candidates.
Key issues in the contest
A key issue in any contest will be why Scottish Labour have lost five elections in a row to the SNP since 2007. They have also gone backwards at every devolved election.
A spokesperson for Marra, the party’s finance lead, said: “Michael is speaking with party colleagues and is grateful for the many messages of support he has received. He is clear that this is not a question of reacting to one bad defeat.
“We need big changes in Scottish Labour after going backwards for six Holyrood elections in a row. Deciding how we deliver that change in service of the Scottish people is what this moment demands.”
Party dynamics and potential candidates
Party figures blame the performance of the UK Government for the Holyrood defeat and want a rethink of the relationship with the wider party. One internal pressure group believes Scottish Labour should become an independent party.
BBC Scotland have reported deputy leader Jackie Baillie, who will take temporary charge of the party, will not stand. It comes after former MSP Paul O’Kane, who lost his place at Holyrood in May, backed Marra: “Michael Mara and I have worked closely together. I view him as serious and credible and I think he can move our party forward.”
