LOCAL MP BACKS MARRA IN SCOTTISH LABOUR LEADERSHIP BID
Michael Marra’s bid to lead Scottish Labour will be co-chaired by Tracy Gilbert MP and Pauline McNeill MSP.
Tracy Gilbert, the MP for Edinburgh North and Leith MP, was a trade union official before being elected to Westminster in 2024.
Pauline McNeill, first elected as an MSP in 1999, was a key voice in the campaign for a Scottish Parliament.
The Marra campaign said the appointments showed Michael is the best placed leader to unite and renew Scottish Labour.
Tracy Gilbert MP said: “I’m delighted to Co-Chair Michael’s campaign alongside Pauline.
“The elections in May were heartbreaking for so many of us in the Labour family,but they were part of a long term trend of going backwards at every Holyrood election since 1999. Something needs to change.
“Michael is the leader rooted in Labour values who can unite and renew our party to offer hope across Scotland for better jobs,better public services and fairer nation with opportunity in every community of Scotland.”
Pauline McNeill MSP said: “I am backing Michael because he will be a strong leader who has no illusions about the difficult path ahead.
“He believes passionately that we can build a credible democratic centre left party in Scotland to represent working people.
“This must be an election about ideas and policy and I think he is best placed to lead the free flow of ideas using all the talents and skills in our party and our group of MSPs.”
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A campaign spokesperson added: “Michael has been clear this leadership campaign will have to face the tough questions about why Labour has gone backwards at every Holyrood election.
“These problems are deep rooted and require serious answers.
“Only Michael can unite and renew Scottish Labour, drawing on all of our talents to rediscover our sense of moral purpose and offer the people of Scotland hope in Scottish Labour again.”
Marra campaign names local government group co-chairs
The Michael Marra campaign has also established a local government group to strengthen the voice of Labour councillors in the Scottish Labour leadership contest.
The group will be co-chaired by Fife Council leader David Ross and South Lanarkshire leader Maureen Devlin.
Maureen Devlin said: “I’m backing Michael Marra for Scottish Labour Leader.
“He’s the candidate rooted in Labour values who can renew and unite our party.”
David Ross said: “Michael has a positive vision for Scotland and will provide honest, straight-talking leadership, focused on better jobs and stronger public services.
“That’s what we need to unite and renew Scottish Labour.”
Michael Marra, the North East Regional list MSP running for Scottish Labour leader, served as a councillor in Dundee before being elected to Holyrood.
Michael Marra said: “I’m delighted David Ross and Maureen Devlin have agreed to co-chair our local government group as part of my campaign to unite and renew Scottish Labour.
“Labour councillors have been the last line of defence in their communities from SNP cuts and centralisation.
“As Andy Burnham makes the case for redistributing power, wealth and opportunity out of Westminster and Whitehall, we need to have the same conversation in Scotland.
“Local councillors are central to that. They lead the way for Labour in power. Their knowledge, experience and ideas will be a key way under my leadership that we unite and renew Scottish Labour.”
The leadership contest has been caused by former leader Anas Sarwar’s decision to leave Holyrood to take a seat in the unelected House of Lords.