2020_Scottish_Labour_deputy_leadership_election

2020 Scottish Labour deputy leadership election

2020 Scottish Labour deputy leadership election

Scottish Labour Party Deputy leadership election


The 2020 Scottish Labour deputy leadership election was triggered on 16 December 2019 following the defeat of Lesley Laird as MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath in the 2019 general election.[1] The result of the Deputy Leadership Election was announced on Twitter on 3 April 2020.[2]

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Background

The 2019 United Kingdom general election saw the Scottish National Party (SNP) regain 13 of the 21 seats they lost in 2017. One of those won was Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, the seat of Scottish Labour Deputy Leader and Shadow Scottish Secretary, Lesley Laird. Despite the seat being a gain for the SNP, the new MP, Neale Hanvey sat as an Independent until May 2020 due to an investigation into anti-semitic posts online.[3][4][5]

Procedure

As with the previous leadership election, the election was held under one-person-one-vote from an electorate of members, affiliated supporters and registered supporters.

Leadership candidates needed to be an MP, MSP or MEP, and need the support of at least 15%, or five, of the thirty-two Scottish Labour MPs, MSPs. They will also need nominations from 5% of local parties or three affiliates, including two trade unions, comprising 5% of affiliated membership, to get on the ballot paper.

Timetable

13 January Nominations open
14 January Registered supporters applications open
16 January Registered supporters applications close
19 January Nominations closed
20 January Opening of CLP and affiliate nominations. Scottish Labour Party hustings period open. Freeze date for membership and supporter eligibility at 5PM
3 February Last day for affiliates to send over new and updated affiliated supporter lists
14 February Close of CLP and affiliate nominations and last day for membership to be in full compliance (including full payment of arrears).
21 February Voting opens
27 February Last date for postal ballot reissues
30 March Last date for email ballot reissues
2 April Ballot closes (12PM)
3 April Announcement of results

[6]

Campaign

Initially Jackie Baillie and fellow MSP Pauline McNeill were planning to run on a platform of job-sharing the role.[7] However, it was found that this would not be possible due to the party's constitution.[8] Pauline McNeill and Baillie subsequently stood separately in the election.

Following the close of nominations on 19 January, Dundee Councillor Michael Marra did not receive sufficient nominations to advance to the next round of the campaign.[9] The same day, McNeill announced that she would also withdraw from the contest, leaving a two way campaign between Baillie and Matt Kerr.[10]

Kerr has been described as left-wing, having strong ties with the trade union movement, and being a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn.[11] Kerr supports the devolution of trade union and employment law, inclusive Constituency Labour Parties (CLP's) that are rooted in communities, open selections, and the creation of an accredited political academy to help develop new political talent.[12]

Candidates

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CLPs not nominating any candidate:

The following seven constituencies remain unaccounted for:

Results

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References

  1. "Lesley Laird stands down as Scottish Labour deputy". BBC News. 16 December 2019.
  2. Labour, Scottish (3 April 2020). "Congratulations to @jackiebmsp on being elected Scottish Labour deputy leader.pic.twitter.com/EfbhhDUsCE". @scottishlabour. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  3. Carrell, Severin (28 November 2019). "SNP suspends election candidate over alleged antisemitism". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  4. "Election 2019: SNP candidate axed over anti-Semitic posts elected". BBC News. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  5. Press Association (3 March 2020). "SNP to readmit MP after anti-Semitism probe, reports say". The Courier. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  6. Hutcheon, Paul (15 January 2020). "Senior MSPs make bid for 'job sharing' Scottish Labour leadership". dailyrecord.co.uk.
  7. "Two candidates left in Scots Labour deputy leader race". BBC News. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  8. Hutcheon, Paul (16 January 2020). "Left wing Glasgow councillor joins race to become Scottish Labour deputy leader". Daily Record. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  9. Kerr, Matt. "A FRESH FUTURE FOR SCOTTISH LABOUR" (PDF). Matt Kerr for Scottish Labour deputy leader. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  10. "Deputy Leadership 2020 Cllr Matt Kerr". Scottish Labour (official website). Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  11. "TSSA Nominates Matt Kerr in Scottish Labour Deputy Race". Transport Salaried Staffs' Association. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  12. Cullinane, Joe (10 February 2020). "Scottish Labour must change, and that's why we should pick Matt Kerr for deputy". LabourList. Retrieved 12 March 2020.

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