Conflicting rumours have been circulating today about the Scottish Labour leadership. The BBC and others have been reporting that Richard Leonard and Anas Sarwar ’emerged as favourites’, but neither man has formally confirmed that they would stand.
There have also been rumours that no one would stand against Sarwar, giving the ‘centrist’ a walk-over in a win that would set Labour back enormously in Scotland.
A very highly-placed Labour source has told the SKWAWKBOX that there will definitely be no walk-over – and that Scottish Labour’s economy spokesman Richard Leonard will stand.
As no other candidates appear to be interested, it’s therefore set to be a straight fight between a centrist with a voting record that will incense left-wingers – and MSP Leonard, who defied and incensed ex-leader Kezia Dugdale last year by making a statement in support of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party.
Formal announcements are expected imminently, battle lines are being drawn and campaign teams will soon be in place – it’s essential for the good of the party in Scotland and in the whole UK that every Left member rallies behind Richard Leonard to see him assume the Scottish leadership.
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So we have the choice between tepid intellectual with a privileged background and someone that in addition to being the former vicechair of progress, is also a product of privilege and nepotism.
I’m so glad I’m not a Scottish labour member, what a pile of stinking crap. Really needs a proper authentic candidate.
Doesn’t this mean there’ll have to be a deputy election? Sarwar’s deputy right now isn’t he? If so, the 50/50 gender issue will come into play but there are some good lefties that can stand I think (not an expert on the SLP.)
No, Alex Rowley is current deputy
Reblogged this on Diary of an SAH Stroke Survivor.
This presents the Labour Party in Scotland with a stark choice.
Should the Labour leader in Scotland be a person who fully supports the party’s manifesto which was just endorsed by 13 million voters, and who represents the interests of the many, not the few.
Or should the leader in Scotland be a centrist who represents the interests of the donor class?
The former option leads to electoral success and the latter to electoral disaster for the Labour Party.
not sure why Alex Rowley isn’t standing , thought he might have been at least one option and further more I wonder why there are no women putting themselves forward for this post , there must be some good left wingers out there surely .
What do members South of the boarder have to do – are we involved in this?
There will certainly be opportunities for phone-banking etc
The Scottish Labour Party is entirely independent of the UK Labour Party. Only Labour Party members registered in constituencies North of the border will vote for the leader there. However see the piece below if you want to help.
NO MORE CENTERIS!
IS IT NOT COMMON SENSE THEY HAVE DONE THEIR WORST, NOW IS THE TIME FOR CHANGE!
LET THE LEFT SHOW THOSE ON THE RIGHT WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB THAN THEY HAVE EVER DONE!
THIS COUNTRY HAS NEVER BEEN WORSE OFF, THE MANY STRUGGLE DAY AFTER DAY!
CENTRIST, THOSE ON THEIR RIGHT ARE HAPPILY LIVING IN TOTAL DENIAL OF OUR ORDINARY NEEDS, PAYING FOR THE ROOF OVER OUR HEADS, PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE CLOTHES ON THE BACKS OF OUR CHILDREN, FOOTWEAR!
DEBT AT AN ALL TIME HIGH, INTEREST ON DEBT, ASTRONOMICAL!
THEY KEEP TAKING, WE KEEP GIVING, THEY THEN SHARE THAT AMONGST THEMSELVES!
Thank you – but are we allowed to vote?
My response to your question is above Elizabeth
Are you in Scotland and a member of the Labour Party?