Scottish Labour leadership election - To be announced on December 13

[afleitch]

Let's be blunt.

Whoever becomes Labour leader will, more than likely, lose in 2016. So it's an 18 month post at most...unless Labour accept that 2016 will not see them back in power in Scotland and therefore don't pressure their leader to stand down in the event of a defeat. That does however mean waiting till 2020. If not, then if Skeletor wishes to run, then that means bailing from East Renfrewshire in 2015 and hoping to be elected at Holyrood the next year (probably in Hugh Henry's old seat) only to sit there like a dead duck.

The only sensible choice, if Labour want to start rebuilding is to elect someone like Elaine Murray or Jenny Marra and in time for the 2016 election, parachute in competent candidates to run who can then take over in 2016.

[afleitch]

Sarah Boyack (list MSP for the Lothians, formerly MSP for Edinburgh Central) has announced that she intends to run.

Quite an interesting development. One of the remnants of Dewar's original team she was the only constituency MSP for Labour allowed to stand on the list prior to the rule change which ultimately saved her. The chorus 'oh get Jim Murphy' is almost entirely from outside of the MSP Labour group (who generally can't stand him) and while Boyack is no left winger per say, she's a safe pair of hands and by no means a careerist.

[afleitch]

Anas Sarwar, the Deputy leader has resigned during a fundraising dinner.

[afleitch]

Union nominations were 'accidentally omitted' from the guide for voters. In part because they tend to back Neil Findlay.

[afleitch]

Murphy can now position Labour to the right of the SNP. Worth a shot. If it fails he can quit in eighteen months.

[afleitch]

It's impossible to be to the right or left of the SNP because the SNP occupy roughly all known respectable political positions simultaneously.

Even if you accept that premise perception matters. If Labour is perceived to be to the right of SNP that would presumably backfire in a number of constituencies.

Which at Holyrood level translates to; all the ones they have left.

[afleitch]

The MSP results, in terms of who is deemed 'big hitters' is quite bad for Murphy. He was preferenced 3rd by Malcolm Chisholm, Hugh Henry (who's seat he will be eyeing up) and Elaine Murray. Lamont didn't mark him down at all, nor did Ferguson or Jamieson.