Two more MSPS rule themselves out of race for Labour leadership
Two moderate Labour MSPS yesterday ruled themselves out of the race to succeed Kezia Dugdale, clearing a path for Anas Sarwar to take on the Corbynite challenger.
James Kelly, Labour’s business manager, and Jackie Baillie, the economy spokeswoman, both said they were not interested in standing.
Mr Sarwar, a former deputy leader of the Scottish party, is thought to be preparing a bid for the leadership, although he has not formally declared his hand.
Yesterday it was reported that Mr Sarwar had been working hard to put together a “back room” and was seeking endorsements. The former GMB union organiser Richard Leonard is likely to stand against Mr Sarwar as the favoured candidate of the left. Mr Leonard was only elected to Holyrood last year, but he has extensive trade union experience.
Yesterday Ms Baillie, an experienced performer at Holyrood, said she would not be standing.
Meanwhile, during a radio interview, Mr Kelly was asked if he would put himself forward. “No, certainly not. I won’t be a candidate,” he said.
Mr Kelly also called for Ms Dugdale’s successor to be put in place “promptly and quickly”, as he insisted there was now “a great opportunity for the party and the person who leads the party”.
Mr Kelly was one of several Scottish Labour politicians to sign a letter calling on Mr Corbyn to consider his position when his leadership was in trouble last year.
Prominent Corbyn supporters Neil Findlay MSP and Scottish Labour’s interim leader Alex Rowley have already ruled themselves out.