THERE’S growing anger among Labour’s grassroots over a secret deal that all but guarantees Richard Leonard a seat in Holyrood next year. Under the party’s rules, the leader is guaranteed the top spot on one of the regional lists. Currently, Leonard – who stood down as chief on Thursday – is the number one candidate on Labour’s for Central. But following his resignation, there have been calls for him to lose this perk. However, according to multiple reports – which allies of the ex-chief dispute – Leonard negotiated his place on the list as part of a “dignified” exit. Former general secretary Brian Roy was unhappy with the agreement.
BBC News
By Glenn Campbell
Richard Leonard s leadership of Scottish Labour was not working.
The party went backwards in national elections on his watch, losing both its Scottish seats in the last European elections and all but one of its Scottish MPs in the 2019 UK general election.
After three years in charge, he did not appear to be widely known or appreciated by the public according to opinion polls.
The same surveys have tended to suggest Labour - once the dominant force in Scottish politics - continues to trail the Conservatives in third place.
That his supporters say internal party critics have constantly undermined his leadership does not change the party s standing.