Scottish Labour close to naming leader
Scottish Labour has gone a step closer to naming a new leader with nominations closing yesterday.
Former enterprise minister Iain Gray appeared the clear frontrunner to replace Wendy Alexander, having secured the support of more unions, elected members and constituency parties than his rivals.
But former health minister Andy Kerr remains the bookies favourite, with Ladbrokes keeping him as 5/4 favourite. Mr Gray is on 6/4, while Cathy Jamieson, acting leader, has odds of 11/4.
Mr Gray managed to wrestle support for several major unions from Ms Jamieson, including Unite and the GMB.
“I’m very happy with the support I’ve received so far,” he said.
“It’s been particularly pleasing to gather nominations from across all parts of the country and across all sections of the party.
“However, it’s obviously a very tight race and, in the end, it will be votes and not nominations that win this election.”
Mr Kerr failed to gain any union’s support – other than an affiliate in the Scottish Labour students – but backing from 13 MSPs and MPs and the same number of constituency parties kept him firmly in the race.
Mr Kerr is campaigning for Scotland’s first minister to have more autonomy from Westminster.
Labour party figures are said to be waiting for Scottish Labour to have selected a leader before holding a by-election in Glenrothes, the constituency whose MP died on Tuesday.
