Dugdale resigns as Scottish Labour Party leader

‘I have thought long and hard about this ... best to pass the baton on’

KEZIA DUGDALE announced her resignation as Scottish Labour leader last night – but denied being ousted by supporters of Jeremy Corbyn.

Ms Dugdale, who has previously criticised Mr Corbyn and backed Owen Smith during the most recent UK leadership contest, said it was time to “pass on the baton” to someone else.

Although she insisted she was leaving the party in a much better state than she had found it when she took over two years ago, she said a new leader was needed with “fresh energy, drive and a new mandate”.

The 36-year-old said she wanted to give her successor the “space and time” to prepare for the next Scottish Parliament election in 2021. However, it means Scottish Labour is looking for its fifth leader in only six years.

Her announcement came after Labour increased its tally of Scottish seats in June’s general election from just one to seven and it emerged she was dating Jenny Gilruth, an SNP MSP.

Most of the credit for Scottish Labour’s performance was attributed to the surge in popularity of Mr Corbyn during the campaign.

Ms Dugdale told BBC Scotland she was not leaving now in order to avoid a possible challenge to her leadership from a more Left-wing rival.

Despite previously casting doubt that Mr Corbyn could win a general election, she said he has her full support, and that she expects him to become Prime Minister.

Ms Dugdale she said she had taken over the leadership when the party was “on its knees” in Scotland, in the wake of Labour’s 2015 general election disaster when it lost 40 of its 41 seats.

She said: “I have thought long and hard about this. I care deeply about the Labour Party – I love it and I have devoted my adult life to serving it in a number of different capacities.

“And I have just come to the conclusion that the best thing for it, the Labour Party, this precious thing that has done so much good in our country, and indeed for me, is to pass that baton on.”

Ms Dugdale said her relationship with Ms Gilruth had “absolutely zero” to do with her decision to quit but her resignation letter said the death earlier this year of Gordon Aikman, a close friend, following a battle with motor neurone disease made her realise “how precious and short life was”.

Mr Corbyn said: “I thank Kezia Dugdale for her work 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, with six new MPS and many more to come.”

Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “I wish her well for the future.”