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Glasgow Council leader Matheson joins Scottish deputy Labour leader contest Five candidates put forward names for Scottish Labour leader posts
(about 5 hours later)
The leader of Glasgow City Council Gordon Matheson said he was standing in the contest to be deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party. Five Scottish Labour politicians joined the contest for leader and deputy leader of the party on the first day nominations opened.
The announcement follows the formal resignation of leader Jim Murphy and deputy leader Kezia Dugdale. MSPs Kezia Dugdale and Ken Macintosh will fight for the leadership role.
Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson and MSPs Alex Rowley and Richard Baker will battle it out for the deputy leader post.
The elections were sparked after leader Jim Murphy and his deputy Ms Dugdale resigned from their positions.
The changes at the top of the Scottish party come in the wake of Labour losing all but one of its 41 seats at May's general election.The changes at the top of the Scottish party come in the wake of Labour losing all but one of its 41 seats at May's general election.
Mr Matheson said he offered the necessary experience to do the job. On Monday, Ms Dugdale said she had secured backing from 30 of the Scottish Labour Party's 40 parliamentarians.
The 48-year-old, who is the first to throw his hat in the ring for the deputy job, became a councillor in May 1999 and was elected leader of Glasgow City Council in May 2010. She added: "My campaign will be reaching out to people whose support Labour has lost, and those who've never voted for us before - because our values are as relevant today as they have ever been."
In a statement on Monday, Mr Matheson said: "The Scottish Labour Party needs to stop feeling sorry for itself and instead focus on the concerns of the people of Scotland. Mr Macintosh, who is MSP for Eastwood, said the election was a "terrible defeat" for Labour.
He added: "Scottish Labour needs to become more open, more transparent and we must shift control of our party from the corridors of power to the communities of Scotland - I believe a healthy, robust leadership contest which listens to Scotland will start that process."
Council leader Mr Matheson said he believed he had the necessary experience to take on the deputy leader role.
He said: "The Scottish Labour Party needs to stop feeling sorry for itself and instead focus on the concerns of the people of Scotland.
"I offer the distinct combination of experience and change. I have successfully led Scotland's largest city for over five years. But because I'm not an MSP I offer a fresh perspective on the national political scene.""I offer the distinct combination of experience and change. I have successfully led Scotland's largest city for over five years. But because I'm not an MSP I offer a fresh perspective on the national political scene."
He added that he was "under no illusions as to the challenges" ahead for the Scottish Labour Party but he was "up for the fight" because he believed in Labour values. Mr Baker said he was aware of the scale of the challenge facing Labour and said he wanted to play his part in overcoming those challenges.
Political hustings He added: "I am looking forward to meeting members across the country over the coming weeks to discuss how we can work together to rebuild our great party."
Following changes spearheaded by Mr Murphy before his departure at the weekend, the election for both positions will be based on one-member-one-vote. Party hustings
To stand as deputy, Mr Matheson must achieve at least 15% of support from the elected parliamentary group, which includes MSPs, Labour's sole Scottish MP Ian Murray and MEPs, or 15% of Scottish Labour councillors. Following changes spearheaded by Mr Murphy before his departure at the weekend, the election for both the leader and deputy leader will be based on one-member-one-vote.
The Scottish Labour leadership is being contested by two MSPs, Ms Dugdale and Ken Macintosh. To stand as leader, candidates must already have been elected as an MP, MSP or MEP.
On Monday, Ms Dugdale said that she had secured backing from 30 of the Scottish Labour Party's 40 parliamentarians. Candidates for deputy must already have been elected an MP, MSP, MEP or councillor.
All the contenstants will take part in a series of hustings at four venues including; To stand as deputy, candidates must achieve at least 15% of support from the elected parliamentary group, which includes MSPs, Labour's sole Scottish MP Ian Murray and MEPs, or 15% of Scottish Labour councillors.
The new leader and deputy leader will be announced at a special gathering on Saturday 15 August. All the contestants will take part in a series of hustings at four venues including;
The results of the two contests will be announced at a special gathering on Saturday 15 August.
Leadership timetableLeadership timetable
15 June - Nominations open for leader and deputy leader15 June - Nominations open for leader and deputy leader
19 June (12 noon) - Nominations close19 June (12 noon) - Nominations close
19 June (17:00) - Supporting nominations open19 June (17:00) - Supporting nominations open
22 June - Hustings period opens22 June - Hustings period opens
13 July - Last date to join as member, affiliated supporter, or registered supporter in order to vote in the leadership ballot13 July - Last date to join as member, affiliated supporter, or registered supporter in order to vote in the leadership ballot
10 July (12 noon) - Supporting nominations close10 July (12 noon) - Supporting nominations close
20 July - Ballot opens20 July - Ballot opens
14 August - Ballot closes14 August - Ballot closes
15 August - Result announced15 August - Result announced