Scots Labour faithful are left in shock as Dugdale stands down
KEZIA Dugdale last night resigned as leader of the Scottish Labour Party with immediate effect.
She said it was time to ‘pass on the baton’ to someone else, and called for a new leader with ‘fresh energy, drive and a new mandate’.
The 36-year-old politician insisted she was leaving the party in a far better state than she found it in, and added that the loss of a ‘dear friend’ earlier this year had made her reassess her life.
Miss Dugdale has previously criticised UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and has faced criticism from some Left-wing members of her own party.
But she denied suggestions from some sources last night that she had been hounded out and was standing down to avoid being pushed out by Corbyn supporters.
In her resignation letter, she states: ‘It has been an honour and a privilege to have served this party in a leadership position for the last two and a half years, covering four national elections and one referendum.
‘Earlier this year I lost a dear friend who taught me a lot about how to live.
‘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.
‘Being leader has always been a difficult but fulfilling challenge. One that until now I have enjoyed, driven by a clear guiding purpose and goals, many of which I have achieved.
‘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
‘It is time to pass on the baton’
the conclusion that the best thing for it, the Labour Party, this precious, precious thing that has done so much good in our country, and indeed for me, is to pass that baton on.’
In an interview with BBC Scotland, she added that she had taken over the leadership when the Labour Party was ‘on its knees’ in Scotland and had devoted ‘every waking moment of my life’ to improving the party’s fortunes.
In August 2015 she replaced Jim Murphy in the role, after the party lost all but one of its Westminster seats in Scotland to the SNP.
Under her leadership, Labour finished third behind the SNP and Scottish Conservatives in last year’s Scottish parliament election.
The party went on to win seven seats in the snap General Election in June.
Miss Dugdale backed Owen Smith to replace Mr Corbyn in last year’s leadership contest, arguing at the time that: ‘I don’t think Jeremy can unite our party and lead us into government.’
In July, she announced that she was dating Nationalist MSP Jenny Gilruth after splitting from her long-term partner Louise Riddell. In her statement last night, Miss Dugdale added that she would continue as a Scottish Labour MSP for the Lothians and said she was ‘already looking forward to spending more time with constituents and on constituency issues’.
She added: ‘Too often our leaders leave in a crisis, with scores to settle.
‘I love this party too much for that to be my way. There will be no press conference and no off the record briefing in my name.
‘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 about our future.’
Miss Dugdale added: ‘I remain in awe of all those party activists who devote their time to this movement without pay or reward. I thank them for their belief in me.’