Kinnock backs Murphy for Scottish Labour leader

With only a couple of weeks of the Scottish labour leadership contest left, Jim Murphy has received a boost today with the news that former Labour leader Neil Kinnock is backing him. In an email to party members later today, Kinnock will say that Murphy has “the humility, vision and dynamism to give fresh strength to Labour and the humanity and deep understanding of real life to reconnect with and convince voters”. The Welshman – who backed Ed Miliband for the Uk leadership in 2010 -has also donated an undisclosed amount to Murphy’s campaign. Responding to the endorsement, Murphy said:

“Neil Kinnock is a towering figure in the Labour Party and wider trade union movement. I am delighted he is supporting my campaign. Neil doesn’t have a vote in this contest, but as a Welshman and friend of the Scottish Labour Party his views are always respected.”

Kinnock is far from the first senior Labour figure from elsewhere in the UK to back a Scottish Labour leadership candidate. Last weekend Tom Watson wrote for the Sunday Herald backing Neil Findlay – which led to a Twitter row with Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Ivan Lewis over the contest. It’s unlikely Kinnock’s intervention will be the last, with two weeks of voting still remaining.

Here’s the text of the email Scottish Labour members will receive from Kinnock today:

Dear Friend

I know in the Scottish Labour Party leadership election you have a big decision to make. While I know it is rightly a decision for you alone, I hope you will permit a view from this Welshman with nearly sixty years as a Labour Party member, nearly fifty years membership of the TGWU and Unite, and great affection and respect for the Labour Movement in your country.

I’ve known Jim Murphy for almost twenty years. His passion in standing up for Labour values and for Scotland has impressed me. I believe he has the humility, vision and dynamism to give fresh strength to Labour and the humanity and deep understanding of real life to reconnect with and convince voters.

As Secretary of State for Scotland he spoke for Scotland and stood up to the nationalists. In the referendum he showed real grit in taking Labour’s arguments to street corners, housing schemes and high streets.

Labour in Scotland plainly has a massive fight on its hands. You need a leader with real presence and boldness and I am certain, from everything I’ve seen, that Jim has what it takes to lead you and to speak up for your convictions and concerns in ways that re-capture the support of the Scottish people.

In Wales, Labour has directly combatted the nationalists. While the challenge is obviously different in some ways, we have done that by exposing their shallowness, showing real passion, having better policy and sustaining strong contact with the communities of our country. I know that, with your help, Jim can and will do the same for Scottish Labour. 

Best wishes

Neil Kinnock