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2021 Scottish Labour leadership election

← 2017 9–27 February 2021

Candidate Anas Sarwar Monica Lennon Percentage 57.6% 42.4%

Leader before election Jackie Baillie (acting) Richard Leonard Elected Leader Anas Sarwar

The 2021 Scottish Labour leadership election was triggered on 14 January 2021 by the resignation of Richard Leonard as leader of the Scottish Labour Party, who had led the party since 2017. Two candidates were nominated, Anas Sarwar and Monica Lennon.

Ballots opened on 9 February and closed on 26 February. Sarwar was elected as leader on 27 February, winning 57.6% of the vote to Lennon's 42.4%.

Background

Richard Leonard was elected as the leader of the Scottish Labour Party in 2017 when he defeated Anas Sarwar to win with 56.7% of the vote. In the 2019 European Parliament election, the party lost its two seats in European Parliament for the Scotland constituency, and in the 2019 general election, the party lost six of its seven Scottish MPs. Scottish Labour figures including Labour Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) had called for him to resign during 2020 over the party's poor performance in opinion polls. A motion of no confidence in Leonard was proposed at the party's SEC (Scottish Executive Committee) but withdrawn due to a lack of support. Leonard resigned on 14 January 2021, saying that speculation about his leadership was a distraction from the party's message.

Procedure

On 16 January, the Scottish Labour Executive Committee met and approved the procedure and timetable for the leadership election. Candidates needed to declare their intention to run by midnight on 17 January, with nominations opening the following day. To be formally nominated, a candidate needs to be nominated by at least four of the party's 23 MSPs or by the party's only MP, Ian Murray.

Timetable

Campaign

On 16 January 2021, Anas Sarwar, the party's constitution spokesperson and a candidate in the 2017 Scottish Labour leadership election, announced in an article in The Guardian that he was standing in the election, saying that the Scottish Government should focus on achieving equality rather than independence. On 18 January, over a quarter of Scottish Labour councillors signed a letter endorsing Sarwar as leader.

Monica Lennon, the party's health spokesperson, announced she was standing on Twitter on 17 January. In 2020, she had called for the Scottish Labour Party to split from the UK-wide Labour Party.

On 19 January, it was announced that both candidates had received the required nominations for them to progress to the next stage.

On the same day as both candidates received the required nominations for the next stage, Lennon told The Herald that she supported Scottish Labour being the party of devo-max and believed that the party should not block a second independence referendum. She did not support a referendum being held at the current time due to the "pandemic and the need for economic recovery."

On 21 January, Sarwar published an article in LabourList establishing his priorities. In the article, he called for modernisation and professionalism in campaigning and set his agenda focusing on "poverty, inequality, schools, health and jobs."

On 2 February, Lennon laid out her vision on ending child poverty within a decade which was published in the Daily Record. She pledged to increase the child payment to £30 a week, provide funding to councils to provide extra support and to provide affordable homes for all.

On 9 February, BBC Scotland hosted a debate between the two candidates. Both candidates discussed their positions on Scottish independence, with Sarwar laying out his opposition to another referendum on independence. Additionally, both candidates suggested that Scottish income taxes should be increased, with Sarwar supporting a 5% increase for the highest tax band and a 2% increase for people earning over £100,000 while Lennon called for a 'national conversation' to look at the wider range of taxes while also supporting an increase for top earners.

On 10 February, Lennon called for increased investment into broadband, claiming that her plan would improve productivity and innovation as well as generating More high skilled jobs. Her proposal was supported by the Communications Workers Union.

On 15 February, Lennon was interviewed by LabourList in which she discussed her support for a 'third option' on any future independence referendum. Additionally she advocated for a 'bottom-up' approach to Labour's plans for devolution compared to the constitution commission established by the Leader of the National Party Keir Starmer.

On 21 February, Lennon pledged to make free universal music tuition in state schools a manifesto pledge if she was elected leader, this policy was welcomed by Stuart Braithwaite.

Lennon wrote an op-ed in Pink News, in which she voiced her support for reforming the Gender Recognition Act and criticised the SNP government for not doing it already. "I have spoken out to condemn the transphobia that so many trans and non-binary people face on a daily basis. I believe that we have a duty to stand by those who are being unfairly marginalised, and I will stand by the trans community now," she said. "Trans people should not have to go through a bureaucratic and dehumanising process to have the law recognise who they already are."

Hustings

Several hustings were organised across late January to February.

Candidates

Candidate	Born	Political office	Announced
Monica Lennon	7 January 1981 Bellshill, Scotland	Health spokesperson (since 2018) MSP for Central Scotland (since 2016) Communities spokesperson (2017–2018)	17 January 2021
Anas Sarwar	14 March 1983 Glasgow, Scotland	Constitution spokesperson (since 2020) MSP for Glasgow (since 2016) Deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party (2011–2014) MP for Glasgow Central (2010–2015)	16 January 2021

Declined

The following people were speculated about as potential candidates but declined to stand.

• Jackie Baillie, deputy leader, finance spokesperson, and MSP for Dumbarton
• James Kelly, former justice spokesperson and MSP for Glasgow (endorsed Sarwar)
• Ian Murray, shadow Scotland secretary and MP for Edinburgh South (endorsed Sarwar)

Nominations

The table below shows the number of nominations achieved by each candidate. Both candidates have received enough nominations to proceed to the next stage.

List of nominations

Below is a list the MPs and MSPs who nominated each candidate. Both candidates also nominated themselves.

Monica Lennon

• Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian
• Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands
• Alex Rowley, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife
• Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland

Anas Sarwar

• Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife
• Claudia Beamish, MSP for South Scotland
• Sarah Boyack, MSP for Lothian
• Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland
• Mary Fee, MSP for West Scotland
• Iain Gray, MSP for East Lothian
• Mark Griffin, MSP for Central Scotland
• Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern
• James Kelly, MSP for Glasgow
• Johann Lamont, MSP for Glasgow
• Lewis Macdonald, MSP for North East Scotland
• Jenny Marra, MSP for North East Scotland
• Pauline McNeill, MSP for Glasgow
• Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South
• Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland
• David Stewart, MSP for Highlands and Islands

Endorsements and supporting nominations

Monica Lennon

Labour politicians

• Ged Killen, MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West from 2017 to 2019

Organisations

• Unite the Union
• UNISON Scotland Labour Link
• Communication Workers Union (CWU) - Scotland Region
• Scottish Labour Students
• Socialist Health Association Scotland
• Christians on the Left
• Open Labour Scotland
• Socialist Educational Association Scotland
• Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA)
• Socialist Campaign Group
• Campaign for Socialism

Anas Sarwar

Labour politicians

• Jack McConnell, First Minister of Scotland and leader of Scottish Labour from 2001 to 2007
• Frank McAveety, former leader of Glasgow City Council and former minister for tourism, culture and sport
• Gordon Brown, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2010

Organisations

• Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW)
• Labour Movement for Europe
• BAME Labour Scotland
• GMB (trade union)
• Community
• National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)
• Jewish Labour Movement
• Scottish Co-operative Party
• Socialist Environment and Resources Association (SERA)

Results

Results were announced on 27 February 2021.

Opinion polls

Best Leader

References

1. ^ Press Association (14 January 2021). "What now for Scottish Labour after Richard Leonard quits as leader?". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
2. Andrews, Kieran (2 September 2020). "Labour MSP breaks ranks to demand Richard Leonard's departure". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
3. "No confidence vote in Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard withdrawn". BBC News. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
4. "Richard Leonard quits as Scottish Labour leader". BBC News. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
5. Rodgers, Sienna (14 January 2021). "Richard Leonard quits as Scottish Labour leader with immediate effect". LabourList. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
6. Rodgers, Sienna (16 January 2021). "Scottish Labour approves timetable to elect new leader by end of February". LabourList. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
7. ^ Duffy, Elle (17 January 2021). "Monica Lennon launches bid to become next Scottish Labour leader". The Herald. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
8. Helm, Toby (16 January 2021). "Anas Sarwar: 'I'll rebuild Labour party in Scotland'". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
9. Rodgers, Sienna (18 January 2021). "66 Scottish Labour councillors sign letter backing Anas Sarwar for leader". LabourList. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
10. "Monica Lennon to stand in Scottish Labour leadership contest". BBC News. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
11. Rodgers, Sienna (19 January 2021). "Sarwar and Lennon win nominations needed in Scottish leadership race". LabourList. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
12. Gordon, Tom (19 January 2021). "Lennon says Labour should push for Devo Max not block Indyref2". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
13. Sarwar, Anas (21 January 2021). "My plan for how Scottish Labour will take on the SNP and the Tories". LabourList. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
14. Philip, Andy (26 January 2021). "Monica Lennon says Scottish Labour could end child poverty 'within a decade'". Daily Record. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
15. "Scottish Labour leadership: Lennon and Sarwar clash on indyref2 mandate". BBC News. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
16. Merson, Adele (10 February 2021). "Monica Lennon: Broadband investment plan could create 23,000 jobs". Press and Journal. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
17. Rodgers, Sienna (15 February 2021). "Monica Lennon: "I'm determined to show Scottish Labour in a new light"". LabourList. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
18. "Mogwai star backs call for free music lessons in schools". STV News. 21 February 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
19. Lennon, Monica (24 February 2021). "'The SNP has failed trans people. If elected Scottish Labour leader, I'll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the community'". PinkNews. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
20. "Scottish Labour 2021 Leadership Election". Scottish Labour. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
21. LGBT+ Labour Scotland (8 February 2021). "Our hustings for the @scottishlabour leadership election with @MonicaLennon7 and @AnasSarwar takes place a week tomorrow on Tuesday 16th February at 7pm
    Information on how to register, take part and put your questions to our candidates will be in your email 🏳️‍🌈" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
22. Lennon, Monica (17 January 2021). "Following discussions with party members, I have decided to put my name forward to lead the Scottish Labour Party. Our members deserve to have their say about the best way to take forward our vision for a fairer and more equal Scotland. I look forward to being considered" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
23. Sarwar, Anas (16 January 2021). "Scotland needs unity, not division, and that is why I want to lead Scottish Labour". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
24. ^ Macnab, Scott (14 January 2021). "Who will replace Richard Leonard as Labour leader in Scotland?". The Scotsman. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
25. ^ McCall, Chris (18 January 2021). "Sarwar favourite to become Scots Labour leader but faces challenge from Lennon". Daily Record. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
26. ^ "Scottish Leadership Election 2021". Scottish Labour. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
27. Hutcheon, Paul (16 January 2021). "Anas Sarwar considering Scottish Labour leadership bid after vacancy created". Daily Record. Retrieved 23 January 2021. Ged Killen, a former Labour MP, said was "one of the leading lights in the party just now". He added: "I think she is untarnished by these internal battles and has proven herself to be one of the most effective MSPs in Holyrood in a really short time. So I do think she could be a unity candidate."
28. McCall, Chris (19 January 2021). "Unite trade union endorses Monica Lennon for Scottish Labour leadership". Daily Record. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
29. UNISON Scotland Labour Link (25 January 2021). "As the biggest trade union in Scotland made up of 80% women members UNISON Scotland Labour Link is delighted to nominate Monica Lennon for Leader of Scottish Labour" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
30. CWU Scotland Region (25 January 2021). "@cwu_scotland are delighted to nominate @MonicaLennon7 to be the next @scottishlabour leader. The prospect of a new vision for a better society is exciting to see. #Monica4Leader 🌹" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
31. Scottish Labour Students (2 February 2021). "After a vote at yesterday's hustings, we're endorsing @MonicaLennon7 for Scottish Labour Leader! 🌹 It was great to see agreement between Monica and @AnasSarwar on SAAS, mental health and fair rents, and we're excited to work with whoever is elected to rebuild our party" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
32. SHA Scotland (25 January 2021). "Following an online poll of members, 71% of those voting supported Monica Lennon as our nomination for Leader of the Scottish Labour Party" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
33. Christians on the Left (26 January 2021). "After polling our Scottish members, thanks to everyone who voted. Christians on the Left nominates Monica Lennon for Scottish Labour Leader. Also, with local elections coming up, make sure you register for a postal vote soon" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
34. Open Labour Scotland (26 January 2021). "Following a ballot of our members we are proud to endorse @MonicaLennon7 in her campaign to become the next Leader or @scottishlabour
    Monica has a clear vision for a fairer Scotland and she has @OpenLabour's full support in achieving that mission 🌹" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
35. SEAScotland (26 January 2021). "SEAS nominate Monica Lennon MSP". Socialist Educational Association Scotland. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
36. "TSSA union backs Monica Lennon for Scottish Labour leadership". Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA). 22 January 2021. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021. TSSA union has announced its support for Monica Lennon as leader of Scottish Labour party.
37. Socialist Campaign Group (12 February 2021). "We're backing Monica Lennon for Leader of Scottish Labour.
    Monica understands the lives of working class Scots and won't be swayed by the interests of big business lobbyists or millionaire funders.
    Her ambition is to end the poverty and inequality blighting so many lives" (Tweet). Retrieved 13 February 2021 – via Twitter.
38. Campaign for Socialism (9 February 2021). "Ballot emails arrive today. They will be sent from 'Scottish Labour Party' (labourelections@civica.co.uk) and the subject will be Scottish Labour Party – Scottish Labour Leadership. #Monica4Leader" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
39. Mcnab, Scott (18 January 2021). "Anas Sarwar pledges an end to Scotland's 'old, divisive politics'". The Scotsman. Edinburgh, UK. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
40. Crichton, Torcuil (22 February 2021). "Gordon Brown backs Anas Sarwar in Scottish Labour leadership race". Daily Record. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
41. "Anas Sarwar MSP nominated by Usdaw to be the next leader of the Scottish Labour Party". www.usdaw.org.uk. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
42. BAME Labour Scotland (23 January 2021). "We are delighted to announce that BAME Labour Scotland will nominate @AnasSarwar for Scottish Labour Leader. We have the opportunity to make history in this election and will do all we can to achieve it" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
43. "GMB Backs Sarwar for Scottish Labour Leader". GMB Scotland. 25 January 2021.
44. "Community nominates Anas Sarwar MSP to be the next leader of the Scottish Labour Party". Community. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
45. Sarwar, Anas (26 January 2021). "It is an honour to have the backing of the National Union of Mineworkers. Representing the heart of Labour values, I endeavour to keep campaigning in your spirit" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
46. Jewish Labour Movement (25 January 2021). "After consulting our full members in Scotland, we are delighted to announce that we will be nominating @AnasSarwar for Scottish Labour Leader, mazal tov!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
47. Scottish Co-op Party (25 January 2021). "After a ballot of our members,@AnasSarwar has been nominated for @ScottishLabour Leader by @ScotCoopParty. We are looking forward to working together to build a fairer, more co-operative Scotland" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
48. Sarwar, Anas (26 January 2021). "I am delighted to have the nomination of @serauk for Scottish Labour Leader Halting climate breakdown is one of my key priorities - not just to protect our people and our planet - but to help create the green jobs of tomorrow our country badly needs" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
49. Rodgers, Sienna (27 February 2021). "Anas Sarwar elected as new leader of Scottish Labour Party". LabourList. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
50. ScottishLabourParty (27 February 2021). Scottish Labour Leader Announcement (YouTube). Retrieved 27 February 2021.

Notes

1. Archived 26 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine

v t e 2021 United Kingdom party leadership elections
January: Welsh Conservatives February: Scottish Labour May: DUP June: DUP July: Scottish Liberal Democrats September: Green

• Scottish Labour leadership elections
• 2021 in Scotland
• 2020s elections in Scotland
• 2021 elections in the United Kingdom
• 2021 political party leadership elections
• February 2021 events in the United Kingdom