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Johann Lamont named new Scottish Labour leader | Johann Lamont named new Scottish Labour leader |
(40 minutes later) | |
MSP Johann Lamont has been elected as the new Scottish Labour leader, pledging to "make Labour Scotland's party once again". | |
The former Scottish minister, who had been seen as a frontrunner in the contest, beat off competition from MSP Ken Macintosh and MP Tom Harris. | The former Scottish minister, who had been seen as a frontrunner in the contest, beat off competition from MSP Ken Macintosh and MP Tom Harris. |
She replaces Iain Gray, who decided to quit the job after the SNP's landslide election victory in May. | She replaces Iain Gray, who decided to quit the job after the SNP's landslide election victory in May. |
Meanwhile, MP Anas Sarwar was elected as deputy Scottish Labour leader. | |
Mr Sarwar, who represents Glasgow Central, won the job over rivals Iain Davidson, also an MP, and MSP Lewis Macdonald. | |
Ms Lamont, MSP for Glasgow Pollok, pledged to reconnect with disillusioned Labour voters. | |
The 54-year-old former teacher also used her victory speech to tell the SNP to bring forward its independence referendum now, rather than in the second half of the parliament, saying: "The waiting is holding Scotland back". | |
The role of Scottish Labour leader was beefed up in the wake of an internal review, meaning Ms Lamont takes charge of the whole of the party in Scotland. | |
Previously, the job was limited to leading the Labour MSP group at Holyrood, but the change now effectively distances the party north of the border from Westminster. | Previously, the job was limited to leading the Labour MSP group at Holyrood, but the change now effectively distances the party north of the border from Westminster. |
More than 300,000 people were asked to vote in the contest, including party and affiliated trade union members and other organisations. |