Glasgow MSP is top pick to take role

THE timing couldn’t have been worse. A Holyrood election in May and poll ratings bordering on irrelevance.

Whoever takes over from Richard Leonard as Labour leader does not have time to make big changes to improve the party’s fortunes in May.

If they come third to the Tories again, the rebuilding job becomes even bigger than the one faced by Mr Leonard.

He didn’t get to contest a Holyrood election as leader but the European election in 2018 and UK General Election in 2019 were a disaster for Scottish Labour.

The best a new leader can hope for is to not lose any more ground – but will then immediately find themselves staring at the constitutional conundrum the party has failed to solve since 2014.

They are outmanoeuvred on the centre-left by the SNP and drowned out on antiindependence by the Tories.

Mr Leonard tried to focus on the issues – the economy, education, NHS, jobs, skills – that affect everyday lives.

It got him, and Scottish Labour, nowhere.

A new leader will face the same. Scottish politics, since 2014, has been about first and foremost the constitution. Everything else is a sideshow.

Similarly, personality has become even more important.

Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon have seen off a succession of Labour leaders.

Some were stronger characters than others. Nobody would accuse Jim Murphy or Johann Lamont of shirking a challenge but still they came up short at the ballot boxes.

Scottish Labour doesn’t look overburdened with leaders-inwaiting just now.

Of the those most vocal in their condemnation of Richard Leonard last Autumn – James

Kelly, Jenny Marra and Daniel Johnson – I doubt any of them would have the SNP reaching for the panic button.

The left will want a challenge. Neil Findlay, a previous contender, is stepping down in May.

Monica Lennon will certainly be mentioned – but is now her time?

Jackie Baillie could have been Labour leader some time ago had she wanted the job.

It leaves Anas Sarwar, who lost the leadership contest in 2017, as the most likely contender.

He has support, a strong base and network in Glasgow and the parliamentary skills and character for facing Nicola Sturgeon.

But does he, or anyone, have the answers to win back the Labour voters who have deserted the party?