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Reluctant Hero · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject: Labour Leadership Contest

Looks like there is going to be at least 4 hats in the ring - Andy Kerr, Iain Gray, Cathy Jamieson and Charlie Gordon.

I can't believe CG is even contemplating standing after the Wendygate fiasco.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7527599.stm

MSPs prepare Labour leader bids

Several Labour MSPs have indicated their interest in succeeding Wendy Alexander as leader of the party in Scotland.

Writing in a Sunday newspaper, former health minister Andy Kerr said he was determined to stand.

Glasgow MSP Charlie Gordon also said he was keen to enter the contest and was gauging his level of support.

It is widely expected another MSP, Iain Gray, will officially put his name forward later this week.

Margaret Curran MSP had previously been tipped to stand for the leadership, but this is thought to be less likely following her defeat at the hands of the SNP in the Glasgow East by-election.

Making mistakes

Nominations for the post of leader of the Labour Party in Scotland open on Monday.

Writing in the Sunday Herald newspaper, Mr Kerr described the loss of Glasgow East as "our worst by-election defeat in recent history" but insisted it had made him "more determined than ever to stand for Labour's leadership and meet the challenge of the nationalists and the Tories head on."

Mr Gordon resigned earlier this year as transport spokesman after admitting to making mistakes over a donation to Ms Alexander's leadership campaign.

The ensuing row over the donation led to Ms Alexander resigning as party leader after the Scottish Parliament's standards committee recommended MSPs vote to ban her from parliament for one day after she failed to declare donations on her MSP register of interests.

But Mr Gordon. the MSP for Glasgow Cathcart, told the Sunday Herald he wanted to put the affair behind him and "renew our leadership and renew our party."

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Holebender · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:19 pm Post subject:

They are not vying "for the post of leader of the Labour Party in Scotland"! There is no such thing. They are contesting the leadership of the Labour group in the Scottish Parliament. Nothing else.
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Celyn · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:42 pm Post subject: Re: Labour Leadership Contest

Lord Pitsligo · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:06 pm Post subject:

Labour are having a leadership election? That's a new one for them isn't it!
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skip · Helping with the Count Joined: 19 May 2006 Posts: 257

yes, there would be the 'whiff of sleaze' about it if charlie gordon can muster 6 nomee signatures from his fellow MSPs before the dust has even settled on the Wendy Alexander's downfall.

The newspapers are not tipping this person but I think David Whitton comes across on screen as fairly sincere. He is not a screaming banshee like Margaret Curran, jamieson or pauline mcneill but more of a level-headed individual. I'm not sure who would nominate him but his most obvious quality was his experience working for a previous First Minister... and the Labour FM who was held in the highest regard of the ones they have had so far. I'm not sure who his constituency would be within the party... maybe all the people that talk affectionately about the good old days when 'Donald' was in charge. Maybe w alexander, j mcconnell, and that big wummin from dumbarton would back him. no doubt someone will post a shopping list of reasons why he shouldnt get it.... but i dont think it would be as bad as some of the above candidates.
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Rinty · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:57 am Post subject:

Jamieson is the most grounded contestant and less of a career/ex cooncilor/party hack then the rest. She has also had to stand in as leader three times now and handled it well.

As holebender pointed out, this is not an election for party leader but rather for the leader of the labour group of MSPs in Holyrood.

One thing labour MSPs have to consider no, is who is less likely to be a pompous git whose bullshit comes back to haunt them. On that basis Cathy would be a certainty.

Aventinian · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:07 am Post subject:

Aventinian · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:09 am Post subject:

Alasdair · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:26 am Post subject:

I would dearly love wee cathy to get the job ... I would look forward with glee to ridiculing her.

Either her of Charlie Gordon would be my preferences Very Happy

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Holebender · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject:

azzuri · 'Our Scotland' Fossil Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 4274

Reluctant Hero · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:59 pm Post subject:

Rinty · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:09 am Post subject:

I know Cathy reasonably well, and I would say the opposite, she comes over as far cleverer and better balanced than the rest that I have met.

Amber · Helping with the Count Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 316

Have you met all the candidates Rinty?

Rinty · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 8:50 am Post subject:

I have met all of them Amber.

Amber · Helping with the Count Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 316

From an SNP point of view, I must favour Cathy Jamieson, who will not expand the party's support but contract it. She's a decent sort, I think, but she's sure to retreat into the past.

agentmancuso · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:57 am Post subject: Re: Labour Leadership Contest

Red Justice · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:53 pm Post subject:

I do not trust Cathy Jamieson she was a hardliner as a minister of justice in Jack's Scottish Executive. Very loyal to her party (Labour in Scotland) if elected leader I would like to see if she can hold her nerve against Salmond over the long term.
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William_Cleland · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:20 am Post subject:

Reluctant Hero · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject:

Iain Gray must have that sinking feeling tonight Laughing

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7533131.stm

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