Murray wrote resignation speech – then decided not to quit Labour
● Party’s only MP in Scotland on the brink of leaving when Corbyn was leader
The shadow Scottish secretary and Labour’s only MP north of the Border, Ian Murray, was close to quitting the party at the height of anti- Jeremy Corbyn feeling, a new book has claimed.
Mr Murray, who has represented Edinburgh South for Labour since 2010, was on the verge of quitting – with a resignation speech prepared – before changing his mind at the last minute.
The claims are detailed in a new book from journalists Gabriel Pogrund and Patrick Maguire of the Times and Sunday Times which details the drama at the heart of Labour while Mr Corbyn was the party’s leader.
Left Out: The Inside Story of Labour Under Corbyn details j ust how close Mr Murray came to quitting his party – just a year before running for deputy l eader of Labour, a contest in which he finished fourth before being appointed shadow Scottish secretary by new party leader Sir Keir Starmer.
The book s t at es t hat Mr Murray changed his mind at the 11th hour due to fears that he would lose his hard- fought Edinburgh South seat, which had been considered a target for the SNP for the last t wo general elections. If he had lost to the SNP, it would have led to major reputational damage.
Mr Mur r a y wo n i n t h e December 2019 election with a majority of more than 11,000 – but was the only Labour MP returned to Westminster from north of the Border.
According to the Times, Mr Murray told friends: “I didn’t want to hand my seat to someone from the Corbyn wing of the party, and felt loyalty to all the people who had worked so hard to help win over the years.”
The book adds that allies suggested Mr Murray had come close to quitting the party due to wanting to support Luciana Berger, who left due to antisemitism.
A friend said: “Ian wanted to support his friend Luciana and others who had faced racism while Corbyn stood by and did nothing. But he was right to stay and fight given the party is now under new management.”
In response to the book’s revelations, Mr Murray said he had agonised over the decision before deciding to stay.
He s ai d: “All my l i f e I ’ ve fought for a Labour government as I passionately believe in the values of my party.
“Many despaired and exami ned t heir own consciences over that period, and for very good reason. In the end, I decided to stay and fight for the party and I was absolutely right to do so.
“I’m dedicated to my constituents in Edinburgh South who I am proud to unstintingly serve and to my very supportive local party who are amazing.”
He added he was determined to fight to remove the Conservatives from Westminster under Sir Keir.
Mr Murray said: “I’ve helped start the fight back and under Keir Starmer we now have a renewed Labour Party ready t o remove t he Tories f rom office at the next election.
“Everyone who believes in a more equal and fair society must strive to make that happen. I will, as I’ve always done, do all I can to achieve that aim.”