Deputy FM John Swinney. Photo Scottish Parliament. SCOTTISH Labour s problems are not down to who they have as leader, but on the party s opposition to independence and a second independence referendum, according to John Swinney. The deputy first minister argued the party s stances on both issues had alienated supporters on the moderate left of centre and that this situation would continue with the party having continually look for new leaders until it had resolved this fundamental matter. I m sorry for Richard Leonard. Richard is a very decent man and I ve always had very decent and purposeful dealings with him and its tough when you have to leave political leadership. But he s had an impossible job.
Scottish Labour is beginning the search for its latest leader following the sudden resignation of Richard Leonard.
Mr Leonard, who held the position since November 2017, announced on Thursday he was stepping down with immediate effect.
His departure leaves the party hunting for its fifth leader in the last seven years.
A Procedures Committee, to oversee the election of Mr Leonard’s successor, has been formed and will have its first meeting on Friday.
Meanwhile, Labour’s Scottish Executive Committee (SEC) will also meet in the coming days to agree a timetable for the process – remembering that the party has to fight the Holyrood election in May.