Nae bloody fear
Big guns rule themselves out of taking up Labour’s ‘poison chalice’ from Kezia
THE Scottish Labour leadership was branded a “poisoned chalice” last night as the party struggled to find candidates to replace Kezia Dugdale.
Opponents put the boot in after two bookies’ favourites ruled themselves out of the contest within hours of the resignation.
Left-wingers Alex Rowley and Neil Findlay said they had no interest in becoming the party’s fourth boss since the independence referendum three years ago.
No Scottish Labour politician was willing to put their head above the parapet to confirm they’d stand.
Rowley, who was Dugdale’s deputy and is now interim leader, has close links to former prime minister Gordon Brown.
Findlay ran Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership campaign in Scotland and is considered his closest ally north of the Border.
Both men had been tipped to stand on a more radical platform closer to the one pursued by the UK Labour leader.
Richard Leonard, a former GMB trade union organiser who was elected to Holyrood last year, and Anas Sarwar, Labour’s Scottish health spokesman, are now thought to be the most likely candidates to take on the job. Sources close to both men last night said they were considering their options.
Other MSPs tipped for the leadership – including Monica Lennon and Jackie Baillie – have also ruled themselves out.
An SNP spokesman said: “It’s no surprise nobody wants this job – it’s a poisoned chalice. Kezia Dugdale did the best she could under the circumstances with a grim bunch of squabbling backbenchers at her disposal.”
Labour were plunged into chaos after Dugdale announced her resignation with immediate effect late on Tuesday night.
Corbyn paid tribute to her, saying: “I’d like to thank Kezia Dugdale for her work as Scottish Labour leader and the important role she has played in rebuilding the party in Scotland.
“Kezia became Scottish leader at one of the most difficult times in the history of the Scottish Labour Party and the party’s revival is now fully under way.”
Dugdale’s announcement came days after Corbyn finished a tour of Scotland.
Speaking the day after her 36th birthday, Dugdale said being leader had been “a difficult but fulfilling challenge”.
In her letter to party chairwoman Linda Stewart, she said: “I choose to stand down because I believe it is best for me and best for Scottish Labour, at a time when we can be positive and optimistic.”
Referring to the death of Labour activist and motor neurone disease campaigner Gordon Aikman earlier this year, she said she had “lost a dear friend who taught me a lot about how to live”.
She continued: “His terminal illness forced him to identify what he really wanted from life, how to make the most of it and how to make a difference. He taught me how precious and short life was and never to waste a moment.”
Dugdale will continue as an MSP for the Lothian region, with Rowley taking charge until her successor is found.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wished her well, writing on Twitter: “We may be opponents, but @kezdugdale led her party with guts and determination and I admired her for that.”
Unite’s Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty warned against “undue haste” in selecting a new leader. He said: “We thank Kezia for the work she has done to contribute to the Scottish labour movement and the party in Scotland, and wish her very well in all she does.
“The party are now rebuilding in Scotland and are rightly seen as the opponent of the mindless austerity of the Conservative Party.
“We urge the party to reflect upon this turn in fortunes and consolidate, not to act in undue haste on any succession plan.
“This is not about the next four weeks. It is about the next four years.”
Findlay said: “I wish Kezia and those who may seek to succeed her the very best.”
Rowley said: “Kezia Dugdale has done fantastic work helping to rebuild the Labour Party.”
The party’s executive committee will meet on Saturday, September 9, to agree the timetable for the leadership election.