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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Labour figures call for contest | Labour figures call for contest |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Senior figures in Scottish Labour have said there should be a contest to replace Wendy Alexander as leader. | Senior figures in Scottish Labour have said there should be a contest to replace Wendy Alexander as leader. |
| Former first minister Jack McConnell said a proper debate would allow candidates to put forward a clear direction for the party's future. | Former first minister Jack McConnell said a proper debate would allow candidates to put forward a clear direction for the party's future. |
| Henry McLeish, who was first minister before Mr McConnell, wanted a contest held within a "tight timetable". | Henry McLeish, who was first minister before Mr McConnell, wanted a contest held within a "tight timetable". |
| Acting leader Cathy Jamieson said she was "actively considering" standing for the post. | Acting leader Cathy Jamieson said she was "actively considering" standing for the post. |
| Others names mentioned as possible candidates are Andy Kerr, Margaret Curran and Iain Gray, who has already declared his intention to stand. | Others names mentioned as possible candidates are Andy Kerr, Margaret Curran and Iain Gray, who has already declared his intention to stand. |
| Mr McConnell told BBC Scotland's Politics Show a leadership contest would ensure the person chosen had the confidence of the party and the Scottish people. | |
| He also warned that there should not interference from Downing Street or elsewhere. | He also warned that there should not interference from Downing Street or elsewhere. |
| Mr McConnell said: "One of the key factors here is that members of the Scottish Parliament and party members in Scotland make a choice without any influence from people such as me or from senior figures in the party leadership elsewhere. | Mr McConnell said: "One of the key factors here is that members of the Scottish Parliament and party members in Scotland make a choice without any influence from people such as me or from senior figures in the party leadership elsewhere. |
| Cathy Jamieson has not ruled out standing for the party leadership | Cathy Jamieson has not ruled out standing for the party leadership |
| "I think we need to have the candidate set out their stall, give them the chance to show the leadership qualities they think they have but also have a real debate about the Scottish Labour Party and how we put our values and principles into practice for the 21st century." | "I think we need to have the candidate set out their stall, give them the chance to show the leadership qualities they think they have but also have a real debate about the Scottish Labour Party and how we put our values and principles into practice for the 21st century." |
| Mr McLeish said: "There is no obvious favourite to replace Wendy. | Mr McLeish said: "There is no obvious favourite to replace Wendy. |
| "That is why I think that within the party structure in Scotland we should have a vote. | "That is why I think that within the party structure in Scotland we should have a vote. |
| "Candidates should be allowed to come forward. Let's have a decent debate." | "Candidates should be allowed to come forward. Let's have a decent debate." |
| He added that the leader needed to be chosen quickly because people were "losing patience" with Labour. | He added that the leader needed to be chosen quickly because people were "losing patience" with Labour. |
| "Every day counts in rebuilding Labour's confidence and trust with Scottish people," he added. | "Every day counts in rebuilding Labour's confidence and trust with Scottish people," he added. |
| Ms Jamieson, who has been the party's deputy leader for seven years, said Labour had nothing to fear from a leadership contest. | Ms Jamieson, who has been the party's deputy leader for seven years, said Labour had nothing to fear from a leadership contest. |
| She said she had not ruled out standing for leader. | She said she had not ruled out standing for leader. |