This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-56221768
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Anas Sarwar wins Scottish Labour leadership race | Anas Sarwar wins Scottish Labour leadership race |
(32 minutes later) | |
Anas Sarwar has been announced as the new Scottish Labour leader. | Anas Sarwar has been announced as the new Scottish Labour leader. |
Glasgow MSP Mr Sarwar defeated Monica Lennon, the only other candidate in the race. | Glasgow MSP Mr Sarwar defeated Monica Lennon, the only other candidate in the race. |
The contest was triggered after Richard Leonard resigned as leader, saying it was in the best interests of the party for him to stand down. | The contest was triggered after Richard Leonard resigned as leader, saying it was in the best interests of the party for him to stand down. |
Mr Sarwar takes charge of the party ahead of the Scottish Parliament election, which is scheduled to be held on 6 May. | Mr Sarwar takes charge of the party ahead of the Scottish Parliament election, which is scheduled to be held on 6 May. |
Mr Sarwar, who is the first minority ethnic leader of a major political party in the UK, got 57.6% of the vote, while Ms Lennon got 42.4%. | Mr Sarwar, who is the first minority ethnic leader of a major political party in the UK, got 57.6% of the vote, while Ms Lennon got 42.4%. |
Who is the new Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar? | Who is the new Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar? |
In his acceptance speech, he said: "I want to say directly to the people of Scotland, I know Labour has a lot of work to do to win back your trust. | In his acceptance speech, he said: "I want to say directly to the people of Scotland, I know Labour has a lot of work to do to win back your trust. |
"Because if we're brutally honest, you haven't had the Scottish Labour Party you deserve. | "Because if we're brutally honest, you haven't had the Scottish Labour Party you deserve. |
"With rising injustice, inequality and division, I'm sorry we haven't been good enough. | "With rising injustice, inequality and division, I'm sorry we haven't been good enough. |
"And I will work day and night to change that, so we can build the country we all need." | "And I will work day and night to change that, so we can build the country we all need." |
Mr Sarwar said he will work with "all our diverse communities" as leader of Scottish Labour | |
Former leader Mr Leonard congratulated Mr Sarwar, calling for the party to get behind him. | Former leader Mr Leonard congratulated Mr Sarwar, calling for the party to get behind him. |
UK Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, said: "Huge congratulations to Anas on his election as leader of the Scottish Labour Party. | UK Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, said: "Huge congratulations to Anas on his election as leader of the Scottish Labour Party. |
"I look forward to working with him to secure our economy, protect our NHS and rebuild our country." | "I look forward to working with him to secure our economy, protect our NHS and rebuild our country." |
First Muslim leader | First Muslim leader |
On becoming the first minority ethnic leader of a major political party in the UK, Mr Sarwar said: "That doesn't say something about me. That says something great about Scotland and its people." | On becoming the first minority ethnic leader of a major political party in the UK, Mr Sarwar said: "That doesn't say something about me. That says something great about Scotland and its people." |
The move was welcomed by Scotland's justice secretary and SNP MSP Humza Yousaf. | The move was welcomed by Scotland's justice secretary and SNP MSP Humza Yousaf. |
Will do politics another day, but today can I congratulate @AnasSarwar on becoming @scottishlabour leader - think this makes him first Muslim & Person of Colour leading a political party in UK, an incredible & historic achievement of which I am proud of him for. Well done Anas 👏 | Will do politics another day, but today can I congratulate @AnasSarwar on becoming @scottishlabour leader - think this makes him first Muslim & Person of Colour leading a political party in UK, an incredible & historic achievement of which I am proud of him for. Well done Anas 👏 |
The Scottish Labour leadership race was short, and largely overshadowed by the Covid crisis, but was more cordial than previous contests the party has held. | The Scottish Labour leadership race was short, and largely overshadowed by the Covid crisis, but was more cordial than previous contests the party has held. |
Scotland's constitutional future was one of the major features of the campaign, with both candidates repeatedly asked for their take on the issue. | Scotland's constitutional future was one of the major features of the campaign, with both candidates repeatedly asked for their take on the issue. |
While both have said they are opposed to the idea of Scottish independence, Ms Lennon said that should a pro-independence majority be elected to Holyrood in May, the party would have to accept another referendum on the issue. | While both have said they are opposed to the idea of Scottish independence, Ms Lennon said that should a pro-independence majority be elected to Holyrood in May, the party would have to accept another referendum on the issue. |
Mr Sarwar, meanwhile, has urged independence-supporting parties to put the issue aside and focus on the recovery from coronavirus. | Mr Sarwar, meanwhile, has urged independence-supporting parties to put the issue aside and focus on the recovery from coronavirus. |
Reaction from rivals | |
First minister Nicola Sturgeon congratulated Mr Sarwar. | |
She tweeted, "he (and his dad before him) and I are long-time political opponents, but I also like and rate him. That may not always be obvious in the weeks ahead as election battle is joined, so worth saying so now." | |
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said Mr Sarwar faced a "divided party" on the issue of Scottish independence. | |
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the new leader should concentrate on advancing UK federalism. | |
He said: "I am keen to work with Anas and his party to make reform of the UK a reality. " | |
Reacting to the announcement, trade unions have appealed for Labour party unity ahead of May's Holyrood elections. |