Shock departure will spark much intrigue

Scottish Labour has found itself at something of a crossroads. Quite how it got there will be a mystery to many, as Kezia Dugdale’s decision to quit was that rarest of beasts — a genuine political shock.

Yes, there had been some rumblings of discontent but her party’s (albeit modest) improved showing in the snap general election had been seen as enough to silent the dissenting voices. And yet a chasm was opening up between Scottish Labour and the UK party.

However well Ms Dugdale performed north of the border, it was always going to be overshadowed by Jeremy Corbyn’s remarkable turnaround from absolute no-hoper to genuine contender for the keys to Number 10. It will be fascinating to see what road the party now takes. Many insist it is time for Scottish Labour to align itself much more closely with the UK party, which would mean a move toward the hardline left.

Ms Dugdale made great strides in carving out a unique identity for her party, but there are those who believe Corbyn’s strident brand of left wing politics is exactly what Labour needs if it is to win back the huge numbers of Scottish voters it has lost to the SNP and even Ruth Davidson’s apparently resurgent Scottish Tory party.

Whatever happens now, there is no doubt this will be a crucial appointment — for Labour both north and south of the border.