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Jim Murphy, Neil Findlay to stand in Scottish Labour leadership contest Jim Murphy, Neil Findlay to stand in Scottish Labour leadership contest
(about 1 hour later)
The former Scottish secretary Jim Murphy has announced that he intends to stand for the leadership of the Scottish Labour party. Following Johann Lamont’s surprise resignation last Friday, Murphy, who took a prominent role in Labour’s pro-union campaign during the summer, is now thought to be the frontrunner in the contest. The former Scottish secretary Jim Murphy has announced that he intends to stand for the leadership of the Scottish Labour party. Following Johann Lamont’s surprise resignation last Friday, Murphy, who took a prominent role in Labour’s pro-union campaign during the summer, is now the frontrunner in the contest.
In an interview with the Daily Record, Murphy said he has decided to stand so he could fight for the job of first minister.
“I think it is time for a fresh start for the Scottish Labour party,” he said. “I am proud of the Labour party and I am proud of Scotland – but I am not satisfied.
“I want to strike a tone that stops the Scottish Labour party from committing self-harm. I want to unite the Labour party, but more importantly, I want to bring the country back together after the referendum. I am not going to shout at or about the SNP. I am going to talk to and listen to Scotland and I am very clear that the job I am applying for is to be the first minister of Scotland.”
One former Labour insider said that Murphy would have to come forward with a clear vision that distinguished him from his “New Labour baggage”, adding: “He will be hugely in favour of autonomy for the Scottish Labour party. I doubt he’d want to be leader without it.”One former Labour insider said that Murphy would have to come forward with a clear vision that distinguished him from his “New Labour baggage”, adding: “He will be hugely in favour of autonomy for the Scottish Labour party. I doubt he’d want to be leader without it.”
Neil Findlay, the Scottish shadow health secretary, and Sarah Boyack, former transport minister at Holyrood, also both on Wednesday announced that they would stand. Neil Findlay, the Scottish shadow health secretary, and Sarah Boyack, the former transport minister at Holyrood, also said that they would stand.
Findlay initially said that he wanted the former prime minister Gordon Brown to put himself forward as the candidate best placed to unify the party after a bruising referendum campaign and Lamont’s angry comments about Westminster colleagues treating Scottish Labour like a branch office. Findlay initially said that he wanted Gordon Brown to put himself forward as the candidate best placed to unify the party after a bruising referendum campaign, and Lamont’s angry comments about Westminster colleagues treating Scottish Labour like a branch office.
In his announcement Findlay said: “I have been overwhelmed by the messages of support from people from within the Labour party and across the wider Labour movement all urging me to stand. It is no secret that I wanted Gordon Brown to run, but since Gordon has ruled himself out I now believe we need to have a wide-ranging debate about the way forward for the Labour party, but more importantly the country.” In his announcement, Findlay said: “I have been overwhelmed by the messages of support from people from within the Labour party and across the wider Labour movement all urging me to stand. It is no secret that I wanted Gordon Brown to run, but since Gordon has ruled himself out I now believe we need to have a wide-ranging debate about the way forward for the Labour party, but more importantly the country.”
He added: “I want to bring the Labour party together to work for progressive change and create a fairer, more equal and prosperous Scotland. If elected Labour leader, I will put the issue of social justice at the heart of everything we do. This is the historic mission of the Scottish Labour party, but it also has to be about what we deliver for the Scottish people in this post-referendum period.”He added: “I want to bring the Labour party together to work for progressive change and create a fairer, more equal and prosperous Scotland. If elected Labour leader, I will put the issue of social justice at the heart of everything we do. This is the historic mission of the Scottish Labour party, but it also has to be about what we deliver for the Scottish people in this post-referendum period.”
A member of the Campaign for Socialism group within Labour, Findlay is popular on the left of the party, with supporters suggesting that he will enjoy strong trade union backing in the ballot.The Labour MSP Elaine Smith welcomed Findlay’s candidacy, saying a “coronation” of a Westminster candidate “would not have been in anyone’s interests”. She added: “I am absolutely delighted that Neil has decided to throw his hat in the ring. This will allow a good debate to be had, and he will put a good case for where the Scottish Labour party ought to be in the future.” A member of the Campaign for Socialism group within Labour, Findlay is popular on the left of the party, with supporters suggesting that he will enjoy strong trade union backing in the ballot. The Labour MSP Elaine Smith welcomed Findlay’s candidacy, saying a “coronation” of a Westminster candidate “would not have been in anyone’s interests”. She added: “I am absolutely delighted that Neil has decided to throw his hat in the ring. This will allow a good debate to be had, and he will put a good case for where the Scottish Labour party ought to be in the future.”
Both Murphy and Boyack worked on restructuring the party organisation three years ago, giving the Scottish party greater autonomy which Lamont claimed had been steadily undermined by Ed Miliband. Other Labour sources believe that Murphy’s known reservations about home rule may give him more credibility with Westminster in negotiating the changes that many in Scottish Labour believe are necessary to regain electoral credibility. “Ironically, he may end up pushing through a more progressive agenda”. Both Murphy and Boyack worked on restructuring the party organisation three years ago, giving the Scottish party greater autonomy that Lamont claimed had been steadily undermined by Ed Miliband. Other Labour sources believe that Murphy’s known reservations about home rule may give him more credibility with Westminster in negotiating the changes that many in Scottish Labour believe are necessary to regain electoral credibility. “Ironically, he may end up pushing through a more progressive agenda”.
In an interview with the Daily Record, Murphy said he has decided to stand so he could fight for the job of first minister. “I think it is time for a fresh start for the Scottish Labour party,” he said. “I am proud of Labour party and I am proud of Scotland - but I am not satisfied.
“I want to strike a tone that stops the Scottish Labour party from committing self-harm. I want to unite the Labour party, but more importantly, I want to bring the country back together after the referendum.
“I am not going to shout at or about the SNP. I am going to talk to and listen to Scotland and I am very clear that the job I am applying for is to be the First Minister of Scotland.”