Scottish Labour leadership election - To be announced on December 13

[afleitch]

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

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Murphy has only been endorsed by USDAW and Community; i.e. the unions who always back the most right-wing candidate.

[politicus]

What is the status regarding Boyack?

[politicus]

Chairman:

Jim Murphy 55.8%
Neeil Findlay 35.0%
Sarah Boyack 9.3%

Deputy:

Kezia Dugdale 62.9 %
Katy Clark 37.1%

http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/jim-murphy-becomes-scottish-labour-leader-1-3633551

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Labour_Party_leadership_election,_2014

[afleitch]

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

[politicus]

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

That seems like a dangerous gamble to me. A lot of traditional Labour areas voted no in the referendum, wouldn't they be up for grabs for SNP with a right wing Labour?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

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

[Filuwaúrdjan]

As has been pointed out elsewhere, it is probably fortunate that though Murphy trailed on the Affiliates section he did not do so by much. A legitimate cause for worry had been the possibility of a narrow Murphy victory with him losing the Affiliate section by miles.

[politicus]

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.

[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.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Well, I'm not optimistic for this, seeing as how lousy he was in the Shadow cabinet.

[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.

[Clyde1998]

Survation Poll (15-18 Dec) - Jim Murphy make me <insert> likely to vote Labour
More Likely - 14%
Less Likely - 18%
No Difference - 57%