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Scottish Labour leadership: Jackie Baillie says MPs and MSPs 'joined at hip' Scottish Labour leadership: Likely candidates say they will not enter race
(about 2 hours later)
A Holyrood politician has denied factions between Labour MSPs and MPs and insisted they were "joined at the hip" in doing the best they could. Several likely candidates have ruled themselves out of the running to replace Johann Lamont as the new leader of the Scottish Labour Party.
Jackie Baillie was speaking to the BBC in the wake of the resignation of Scottish Labour Party leader Johann Lamont. MSPs Kezia Dugdale and Jenny Marra have said they will not stand in the leadership contest.
She stood down with immediate effect on Friday evening. The party's acting leader, MP Anas Sarwar, has also ruled himself out.
Nominations for Ms Lamont's replacement will be sought and a new leader will be in place on 13 December. Scottish Labour's health spokesman, MSP Neil Findlay, said he wanted former prime minister Gordon Brown to take over the reins.
Ms Baillie told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme that it was natural for there to "always be" a debate between MPs and MSPs but she denied the levels of interference stated by Ms Lamont. Mr Brown has yet to declare his position.
She said: "Whether you are an MP or MSP in Scotland you are representing constituents in Scotland. At Westminster, it is thought that the shadow international development secretary, Jim Murphy, is the most likely candidate.
Labour MSPs will meet in Glasgow at lunchtime to discuss Ms Lamont's departure after nearly three years as leader. Labour MPs will meet in Westminster later on to discuss the party's future north of the border.
A new Scottish leader, who could be an MP, MSP or MEP, is due to be in place by 13 December.
Speculation is mounting about who might stand.
Mr Findlay, who had been tipped as a possible contender, told the BBC he would do everything in his power to encourage Mr Brown to seek nomination.
Meanwhile, MSP Jackie Baillie has denied there were factions of Labour MSPs and MPs within the party, and insisted they were "joined at the hip" in doing the best they could.
She told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme that it was natural for there to "always be" a debate between MPs and MSPs, but she denied there had been the levels of interference stated by Ms Lamont.
Ms Baillie said: "Whether you are an MP or MSP in Scotland you are representing constituents in Scotland.
"It doesn't matter what chamber you are in, you are absolutely joined at the hip in wanting the best that we can.""It doesn't matter what chamber you are in, you are absolutely joined at the hip in wanting the best that we can."
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.
Labour MP Anas Sarwar is currently interim leader of the Scottish party. He would not confirm if he intended to stand as leader, saying he would not rule it out but that he needed to think it through. She told presenter Gary Robertson: "I believe we should have a very open contest and I look forward to a number of different names emerging, be they MPs, MSPs or indeed MEPs, who are entitled to stand as well.
Other possible candidates include East Renfrewshire MP Jim Murphy and several prominent MSPs including Kezia Dugdale, Jenny Marra and Neil Findlay. "But I think it would be really helpful to have a debate in the party where we have quite a lengthy nominations process that tries to balance a speedy transition, but yet a clear desire for the members to have their voice heard.
Gordon Brown MP has also been linked to the role but reports have suggested the former prime minister has ruled himself out of the running. "I think you will see a number of people coming forward in the coming days and I look forward to that very much."
Ms Baillie told presenter Gary Robertson: "I believe we should have a very open contest and I look forward to a number of different names emerging, be they MPs, MSPs or indeed MEPs who are entitled to stand as well.
"But I think it would be really helpful to have a debate in the party where we have quite a lengthy nominations process that tries to balance a speedy transition, but yet a clear desire for the members to have their voice heard and I think you will see a number of people coming forward in the coming days and I look forward to that very much."
Nominations openNominations open
She added that she was disappointed the party would be using the electoral college method instead of one-member-one vote. She added that she was disappointed the party would be using the electoral college method instead of one-member-one-vote.
The Labour Party is moving to a more straight forward way of electing its leaders but this contest will use the long-established collegiate system. The Labour Party is moving to a more straightforward way of electing its leaders but this contest will use the long-established collegiate system.
Nominations for candidates will open on Friday, 31 October, and close on Tuesday, 4 November. Nominations for candidates will open on Friday 31 October, and close on Tuesday 4 November.
The ballot will start on Monday, 17 November, and the new leader will be announced on Saturday, 13 December. The ballot will start on Monday 17 November, and the new leader will be announced on Saturday 13 December.
After standing down, Ms Lamont accused the UK Labour Party of treating Scotland like a "branch office".After standing down, Ms Lamont accused the UK Labour Party of treating Scotland like a "branch office".
In her resignation letter, the 56-year-old said senior members of the party had "questioned" her place and she was taking herself "out of the equation" so it could decide the best way forward. In her resignation letter, the 56-year-old said senior members of the party had "questioned" her place and that she was taking herself "out of the equation" so it could decide the best way forward.
In an earlier interview with the Daily Record, Ms Lamont branded some of her Westminster colleagues as "dinosaurs".In an earlier interview with the Daily Record, Ms Lamont branded some of her Westminster colleagues as "dinosaurs".