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CRISIS-HIT Scottish Labour’s executive set out a short timetable yesterday for the election of a new leader following Johann Lamont’s resignation on Friday.
Interim leader and Glasgow Central MP Anas Sarwar, who has been deputy to Ms Lamont for the last three years, said yesterday he would consider standing.
Right-wing Westminster shadow international development secretary Jim Murphy has also been touted, as have Holyrood MSPs Kezia Dugdale, Jenny Marra and leftwinger Neil Findlay.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been suggested for the job, but is reported to have ruled it out.
Scottish Labour chairman Jackson Cullinane told the Star it was vital for the party to “shift leftward — standing with and for those who seek an alternative to austerity.”
It “needs more autonomy to run its own affairs,” he said, referring to allegations by Ms Lamont of London’s meddling.
“But the main issue for the Labour Party is to change its political direction, ditch the new Labour outlook once and for all and reach out to working-class voters who were energised during the referendum campaign — including those who voted Yes.”
Linlithgow and East Falkirk MP Michael Connarty said he would support Mr Brown as “a towering figure” who spoke “the language of the people of Scotland.”
Ms Lamont resigned as Scottish Labour leader with immediate effect late on Friday, accusing senior London colleagues of undermining her authority and treating the Scottish party like “a branch office.”
Last week’s sacking by London HQ of Scottish general secretary Ian Price without consulting Ms Lamont appears to have been the final straw.
In an interview with the Daily Record newspaper, Ms Lamont said: “Just as the SNP must embrace that devolution is the settled will of the Scottish people, the Labour Party must recognise that the Scottish party has to be autonomous.”
SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon said Ms Lamont’s resignation “reveals Labour to be in complete meltdown in Scotland.”
Nominations open on October 31 and voting runs from November 17 to December 10.
