City MSP pulls out of Labour deputy contest
GLASGOW MSP Pauline McNeill has pulled out of the contest to be Scottish Labour Deputy Leader.
It leaves Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton MSP and Glasgow councillor, Matt Kerr, as the two remaining contenders in the final round of voting.
Ms McNeill has secured enough nominations to go through to the next round but decided to withdraw, stating instead she will focus on key issues, working for constituents in Glasgow and offering Labour answers on Scotland’s future.
She said the party must “change or die”.
Ms McNeill said: “After talking to people and reflecting on the on the final ballot my sense is that the contest will be acutely polarised within the party and that there is little scope for a voice in the middle of what will be a long contest.”
She added: “I am sorry to disappoint the people in my campaign and my supporters but I believe that I can make a change to our party through this action rather than spending two months in a deputy leadership contest where I may not be heard.”
Ms Baillie said the party had to rebuild after the latest in a line of election defeats.
She said: “I look forward to working alongside members in the fight to rebuild our party and regain the trust of Scots everywhere.”
Mr Kerr said: “I hope to reward the faith placed in me with a radical platform to put the membership in the driving seat to build the kind of Labour Party Scotland needs and deserves.”
Ms Baillie and Mr Kerr are looking to replace Lesley Laird after she lost her seat in the General Election last month.
The remaining candidates now must secure nominations from constituency groups and affiliated organisations, before voting begins on February 21.
The result will be announced on April 3.