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Richard Leonard announced as the new leader of the Scottish Labour Party | Richard Leonard announced as the new leader of the Scottish Labour Party |
(35 minutes later) | |
Richard Leonard, a left-winger and ally of Jeremy Corbyn, has been elected as the leader of Scottish Labour. | |
The Central Scotland MSP defeated party health spokesman Anas Sarwar in a leadership vote triggered by the surprise resignation of Kezia Dugdale in August. | The Central Scotland MSP defeated party health spokesman Anas Sarwar in a leadership vote triggered by the surprise resignation of Kezia Dugdale in August. |
Mr Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, was backed by several of the party's high-profile politicians including MPs Ian Murray and Harriet Harman, while Mr Leonard had the support of trade unions. | Mr Sarwar, MSP for Glasgow, was backed by several of the party's high-profile politicians including MPs Ian Murray and Harriet Harman, while Mr Leonard had the support of trade unions. |
Mr Leonard won the votes of 12,469 party members and supporters, while 9,516 backed Mr Sarwar. His election will help cement Mr Corbyn's control over the Labour Party. | Mr Leonard won the votes of 12,469 party members and supporters, while 9,516 backed Mr Sarwar. His election will help cement Mr Corbyn's control over the Labour Party. |
In his victory speech at Glasgow Science Centre, Mr Leonard said the result sent a "message of real change" and vowed under his leadership the party would be "distinctively Labour, confidently Labour". | In his victory speech at Glasgow Science Centre, Mr Leonard said the result sent a "message of real change" and vowed under his leadership the party would be "distinctively Labour, confidently Labour". |
He immediately pledged "zero tolerance" of sexism, misogyny and sexual harassment. | He immediately pledged "zero tolerance" of sexism, misogyny and sexual harassment. |
"We need to change the political culture," Mr Leonard declared, as he promised to set up an independent route for complaints. | "We need to change the political culture," Mr Leonard declared, as he promised to set up an independent route for complaints. |
Congratulating him on his election, Mr Corbyn said: "I am confident that under Richard's leadership, Labour will once again be a real force for change in Scotland. | Congratulating him on his election, Mr Corbyn said: "I am confident that under Richard's leadership, Labour will once again be a real force for change in Scotland. |
"This can be a turning point in Scottish politics and our party will now come together, united to challenge Tory and SNP austerity that has held Scotland back." | "This can be a turning point in Scottish politics and our party will now come together, united to challenge Tory and SNP austerity that has held Scotland back." |
Mr Leonard, a former head of economics at the Scottish Trade Unions Congress, was only elected to Holyrood last year and had the lower profile of the two leadership rivals. | Mr Leonard, a former head of economics at the Scottish Trade Unions Congress, was only elected to Holyrood last year and had the lower profile of the two leadership rivals. |
The Yorkshireman takes the helm of a party showing signs of recovery in Scotland after slumping to just a lone MP in Westminster in the 2015 general election. Scottish Labour recovered seats and votes in this year's election, while the SNP's campaign for a second independence referendum has been firmly pushed back. | The Yorkshireman takes the helm of a party showing signs of recovery in Scotland after slumping to just a lone MP in Westminster in the 2015 general election. Scottish Labour recovered seats and votes in this year's election, while the SNP's campaign for a second independence referendum has been firmly pushed back. |
Announcing her resignation in August, Ms Dugdale said she left Scottish Labour "in better shape than I found it" and that a new leader with "fresh energy, drive and a new mandate" was need to take the party into the next Holyrood elections in 2021. | Announcing her resignation in August, Ms Dugdale said she left Scottish Labour "in better shape than I found it" and that a new leader with "fresh energy, drive and a new mandate" was need to take the party into the next Holyrood elections in 2021. |
Mr Leonard's victory on Saturday morning was partly overshadowed by a row over his predecessor's decision to appear I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! | Mr Leonard's victory on Saturday morning was partly overshadowed by a row over his predecessor's decision to appear I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! |
Ms Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, was criticised by some party colleagues after it was reported she would fly to Australia to take part in the reality TV programme. | Ms Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, was criticised by some party colleagues after it was reported she would fly to Australia to take part in the reality TV programme. |
She will join contestants including boxer Amir Khan, Boris Johnson's dad Stanley, and Saturdays singer Vanessa White in the jungle for the ITV show. | |
Labour MSP Jenny Marra tweeted: "Election to parliament is a privilege to serve and represent people. It's not a shortcut to celebrity." | Labour MSP Jenny Marra tweeted: "Election to parliament is a privilege to serve and represent people. It's not a shortcut to celebrity." |