Ken Macintosh considering standing for Scottish Labour leader

MSP Ken Macintosh will stand for leader of Scottish Labour once Jim Murphy stands down next month, he has indicated.

According to the Guardian, Macintosh has been canvassing support from colleagues ahead of a run for the top job. He stood in the 2011 race but, despite topping the members ballot, was beaten by Johan Lamont in the other two electoral colleges. This time, he is backing Jim Murphy’s position that Scottish Labour should adopt the One Member One Vote (OMOV) system being used by UK Labour for their leadership contests this summer.

Macintosh said:

“There’s a lot to go before we actually agree the leadership process and there will be no formal declarations until that point. I think that it is fair to say that I have certainly indicated to some of my colleagues already that I am interested in putting my name forward.

“But at this stage we need to agree a leadership process itself. I think it is fundamental that we move to OMOV. I am very much in favour of the union link but the OMOV system; if we have got it for the national party, we need it for the local party.”

Deputy leader Kezia Dugdale is also contemplating a run, and will likely make her decision public by the end of the week.