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Scottish Labour leadership: Who's in and who's out? Scottish Labour leadership: Who's in and who's out?
(about 23 hours later)
Jim MurphyJim Murphy
Just days after last month's referendum, the Daily Mail ran a story claiming that Jim Murphy was being lined up to replace Ms Lamont as Scottish Labour leader.Just days after last month's referendum, the Daily Mail ran a story claiming that Jim Murphy was being lined up to replace Ms Lamont as Scottish Labour leader.
The paper said Labour Party sources had told them Mr Murphy would stand for the top job while still an MP - like Alex Salmond did with the SNP in 2004 - and then switch to the Scottish Parliament at the 2016 election.The paper said Labour Party sources had told them Mr Murphy would stand for the top job while still an MP - like Alex Salmond did with the SNP in 2004 - and then switch to the Scottish Parliament at the 2016 election.
The East Renfrewshire MP, who is still only 47 despite being at Westminster for 17 years, fought a tough referendum campaign touring 100 towns in 100 days to deliver the "No" message.The East Renfrewshire MP, who is still only 47 despite being at Westminster for 17 years, fought a tough referendum campaign touring 100 towns in 100 days to deliver the "No" message.
Although this earned him much praise and gave him a high profile it has also marked him out as a divisive figure who may not be able to reach out to disaffected parts of the Labour heartlands.Although this earned him much praise and gave him a high profile it has also marked him out as a divisive figure who may not be able to reach out to disaffected parts of the Labour heartlands.
BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor says that although Mr Murphy would be the front-runner the timing would be "exceptionally difficult".BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor says that although Mr Murphy would be the front-runner the timing would be "exceptionally difficult".
He says: "If Jim Murphy is to stand and say 'my future lies at Holyrood', what exactly does he say to his constituents who are about to re-elect him, or possibly someone else, in May next year?"He says: "If Jim Murphy is to stand and say 'my future lies at Holyrood', what exactly does he say to his constituents who are about to re-elect him, or possibly someone else, in May next year?"
Anas Sarwar
Mr Sarwar is the current deputy leader of Scottish Labour and has taken over as caretaker leader in the wake of Johann Lamont's resignation.
He has ruled out taking on the job long-term, telling the BBC he wanted to focus upon running the contest and ensuring that Labour concentrates upon the impending UK general election.
The 31-year-old has been the Labour MP for Glasgow Central since 2010, succeeding his father Mohammad Sarwar, the first-ever Muslim MP in the UK.
Despite being a capable political operator, his youth and the fact he is a Westminster MP could be a barrier to the ambitious Glaswegian's progress.
He was also the subject of a row earlier this year over choosing to send his son to a private school rather than a state school.
Sarah BoyackSarah Boyack
Sarah Boyack, currently Labour's local government spokesman at Holyrood, has announced that she is entering the running. Sarah Boyack, currently Labour's local government spokesman at Holyrood, was the first candidate to announce that she was entering the running.
The 53-year-old is an experienced MSP who has represented Edinburgh Central constituency from 1999-2011, and Lothian region since the 2011 election.The 53-year-old is an experienced MSP who has represented Edinburgh Central constituency from 1999-2011, and Lothian region since the 2011 election.
She served as transport and environment minister in the first Labour-led Scottish Executive, helping to create Scotland's first national parks.She served as transport and environment minister in the first Labour-led Scottish Executive, helping to create Scotland's first national parks.
She survived an SNP-inspired vote of no confidence in 2001 over her decision to award trunk road maintenance contracts to private companies.She survived an SNP-inspired vote of no confidence in 2001 over her decision to award trunk road maintenance contracts to private companies.
The decision was also opposed by some of her Labour colleagues but Ms Boyack said she had no choice but to accept the private bids, which were £200m cheaper than the local authority tenders.The decision was also opposed by some of her Labour colleagues but Ms Boyack said she had no choice but to accept the private bids, which were £200m cheaper than the local authority tenders.
This experience suggests that, while her Holyrood career may not always have been smooth, she knows how to weather a political storm.This experience suggests that, while her Holyrood career may not always have been smooth, she knows how to weather a political storm.
Neil Findlay
Neil Findlay, Labour's health spokesman at Holyrood and a list MSP for Lothian, has become the second candidate to enter the race.
Previously, he told the BBC he would do everything in his power to encourage Gordon Brown to stand for the leadership.
Declaring his own decision to run, he said: "It is no secret that I wanted Gordon Brown to run but, since Gordon has ruled himself out, I now believe we need to have a wide ranging debate about the way forward for the Labour party but more importantly the country."
With Nicola Sturgeon poised to take over the SNP, the left-winger has argued that Labour needs to be more radical in order to challenge a Scottish government under her leadership.
The 45-year-old is a member of the Red Paper Collective, a left-wing group that has urged Labour to go further in its proposals for more powers for the Scottish Parliament, and devolve income tax in full.
He has also called for a national house-building programme, full employment, the living wage and more apprenticeships.
Anas Sarwar
Mr Sarwar is the current deputy leader of Scottish Labour and has taken over as caretaker leader in the wake of Johann Lamont's resignation.
He has ruled out taking on the job long-term, telling the BBC he wanted to focus upon running the contest and ensuring that Labour concentrates upon the impending UK general election.
The 31-year-old has been the Labour MP for Glasgow Central since 2010, succeeding his father Mohammad Sarwar, the first-ever Muslim MP in the UK.
Despite being a capable political operator, his youth and the fact he is a Westminster MP could be a barrier to the ambitious Glaswegian's progress.
He was also the subject of a row earlier this year over choosing to send his son to a private school rather than a state school.
Kezia DugdaleKezia Dugdale
The 33-year-old MSP for the Lothian region represents the "younger generation" of MSPs at Holyrood.The 33-year-old MSP for the Lothian region represents the "younger generation" of MSPs at Holyrood.
Although only a member of the Scottish Parliament since 2011 she has impressed in parliament and in the media.Although only a member of the Scottish Parliament since 2011 she has impressed in parliament and in the media.
Ms Dugdale has the advantage of being a rising star at Holyrood and not being part of the Westminster party.Ms Dugdale has the advantage of being a rising star at Holyrood and not being part of the Westminster party.
However, she has ruled herself out of the contest.However, she has ruled herself out of the contest.
Jenny MarraJenny Marra
Like Kezia Dugdale, Jenny Marra is young and inexperienced.Like Kezia Dugdale, Jenny Marra is young and inexperienced.
But the 36-year-old Labour list MSP for North East Scotland is seen as talented and a good future prospect for the party.But the 36-year-old Labour list MSP for North East Scotland is seen as talented and a good future prospect for the party.
While there had been speculation that the time for that future had arrived sooner than anyone anticipated, Ms Marra has ruled herself out of the contest.While there had been speculation that the time for that future had arrived sooner than anyone anticipated, Ms Marra has ruled herself out of the contest.
BBC Scotland Political editor Brian Taylor said: "Some would say it has worked for the Scottish Tories, having a young, relatively inexperienced leader.BBC Scotland Political editor Brian Taylor said: "Some would say it has worked for the Scottish Tories, having a young, relatively inexperienced leader.
"But the Tories ain't Labour. Labour have a huge number of MPs and different baggage to carry. Just ask Johann Lamont!""But the Tories ain't Labour. Labour have a huge number of MPs and different baggage to carry. Just ask Johann Lamont!"
Neil Findlay
Left-winger Neil Findlay is Labour's health spokesman at Holyrood and a list MSP for Lothian.
He told the BBC he would do everything in his power to encourage Gordon Brown to stand for the leadership but, as the former prime minister is reported to have ruled himself out, might Mr Findlay run himself?
With Nicola Sturgeon poised to take over the SNP, Mr Findlay has argued that Labour needs to be more radical in order to challenge a Scottish government under her leadership.
The 45-year-old is a member of the Red Paper Collective, a left-wing group that has urged Labour to go further in its proposals for more powers for the Scottish Parliament, and devolve income tax in full.
He has also called for a national house-building programme, full employment, the living wage and more apprenticeships.
Writing in the Morning Star, he argued: "Anyone who thinks that we can take on the SNP from any other position than firmly to their left needs to re-enter this world from cloud cuckoo land".
Gordon BrownGordon Brown
The former Labour prime minister is perhaps seen by some as yesterday's man but others such as Michael Connarty, Labour MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk, said Mr Brown was "a towering figure" who was "speaking the language of the people of Scotland".The former Labour prime minister is perhaps seen by some as yesterday's man but others such as Michael Connarty, Labour MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk, said Mr Brown was "a towering figure" who was "speaking the language of the people of Scotland".
Mr Brown's interventions towards the end of the referendum campaign displayed that he is still a political heavyweight who wields substantial influence.Mr Brown's interventions towards the end of the referendum campaign displayed that he is still a political heavyweight who wields substantial influence.
Mr Connarty told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We should be talking about Gordon and Gordon alone. I'll be seeking him out and so will other people."Mr Connarty told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We should be talking about Gordon and Gordon alone. I'll be seeking him out and so will other people."
However, the Westminster MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath has rebuffed calls to return to the front line.However, the Westminster MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath has rebuffed calls to return to the front line.
A source close to Mr Brown said that he had no intention of running.A source close to Mr Brown said that he had no intention of running.
Following the referendum in which he played a key part by setting out a timetable for more powers for Holyrood, the former prime minister had joked that he was "too old to be the comeback kid and too young to be an elder statesman".Following the referendum in which he played a key part by setting out a timetable for more powers for Holyrood, the former prime minister had joked that he was "too old to be the comeback kid and too young to be an elder statesman".
Jackie BaillieJackie Baillie
Having been an MSP since the beginning of the parliament in 1999, the 50-year-old is experienced and capable as a front bench spokesperson.Having been an MSP since the beginning of the parliament in 1999, the 50-year-old is experienced and capable as a front bench spokesperson.
Ms Baillie has ruled herself out of the contest, saying she would rather play a "supporting role" than be leader itself.Ms Baillie has ruled herself out of the contest, saying she would rather play a "supporting role" than be leader itself.
However, she will speak for Labour at first minister's questions later this week.However, she will speak for Labour at first minister's questions later this week.
If she puts in an effective performance against Alex Salmond, she might find herself facing calls to take on the role in the long-term.If she puts in an effective performance against Alex Salmond, she might find herself facing calls to take on the role in the long-term.
Drew SmithDrew Smith
Another member of Scottish Labour's younger generation, 31-year-old Drew Smith has worked for the party in Scotland and at Westminster.Another member of Scottish Labour's younger generation, 31-year-old Drew Smith has worked for the party in Scotland and at Westminster.
He represents Glasgow in the Scottish Parliament and is the party's spokesman on the constitution, having formerly spoken on social justice.He represents Glasgow in the Scottish Parliament and is the party's spokesman on the constitution, having formerly spoken on social justice.
He sat on the committee which examined the legislation which paved the way for the referendum on Scottish independence.He sat on the committee which examined the legislation which paved the way for the referendum on Scottish independence.
Iain GrayIain Gray
Former Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray was asked on Twitter by Holyrood magazine editor Mandy Rhodes if he intended to put his hat in the ring.Former Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray was asked on Twitter by Holyrood magazine editor Mandy Rhodes if he intended to put his hat in the ring.
He responded with a straightforward: "No."He responded with a straightforward: "No."
It could be a case of once bitten, twice shy for the 57-year-old MSP for East Lothian, who led Scottish Labour to defeat in 2011, when the SNP gained an unprecedented overall majority.It could be a case of once bitten, twice shy for the 57-year-old MSP for East Lothian, who led Scottish Labour to defeat in 2011, when the SNP gained an unprecedented overall majority.
Mr Gray stepped down after the election but has returned to the frontline as the party's finance spokesman.Mr Gray stepped down after the election but has returned to the frontline as the party's finance spokesman.
He is also one of two Labour representatives to the Smith Commission, which is considering plans for more powers for the Scottish Parliament.He is also one of two Labour representatives to the Smith Commission, which is considering plans for more powers for the Scottish Parliament.