Michael Marra MSP becomes first name on ballot in Scottish Labour leadership election

Michael Marra has become the first MSP to secure a place on the ballot for the Scottish Labour leadership election.

The North East Scotland MSP has now secured enough support from parliamentarians and affiliated organisations to progress to the ballot of party members, after receiving the backing of ASLEF, the train drivers’ union today.

READ MORE: Scottish Labour leadership election: Who are MPs and MSPs backing?

Marra is one of three MSPs seeking to be a leadership candidate in the contest to replace Anas Sarwar, alongside South Scotland MSP Joe Fagan and Glasgow MSP Monica Lennon.

Marra had already secured the support of 15 Labour MPs and eight other MSPs, putting him above the parliamentary threshold required to advance.

Candidates also need nominations from at least three affiliated organisations, including two trade unions. Marra had already secured the required support from parliamentarians and had been endorsed by the National Mineworkers’ Union. ASLEF’s nomination therefore gives him the final affiliate endorsement required to secure a place on the ballot.

Become a friend of LabourList and join our community. Our friends support our vital non-factional work and get access to exclusive content and events. 

“I’m honoured to be nominated by ASLEF trade union and to have secured enough support to make the ballot for the leadership election,” Marra said.

“Scottish Labour needs to rediscover its moral purpose. That’s why I’m standing – to renew and unite our party.”

Marra was first elected to Holyrood in 2021, and previously held the education and skills brief. He was re-elected as a regional MSP for North East Scotland at May’s Holyrood election and was also selected as Labour’s candidate for the new Dundee City West constituency.

Nominations for the leadership election opened on August 3 and close on August 17.

Party members and supporters are due to vote between August 28 and September 17, with the new leader to be announced on September 19. 

Subscribe here to our daily newsletter roundup of Labour news, analysis and comment– and follow us on TikTok, Bluesky, WhatsApp, X and Facebook. You can also write to our editor to share your thoughts on our stories and share your own. The best letters are published every Sunday.

• • SHARE: If you have anything to share that we should be looking into or publishing about this story – or any other topic involving Labour– contact us (strictly anonymously if you wish) at [email protected].
  • SUBSCRIBE: Sign up to LabourList’s morning email here for the best briefing on everything Labour, every weekday morning.
  • BECOME A FRIEND: If you enjoyed this, why not consider becoming a Friend of LabourList? Help sustain our journalism, and of course Friends do get benefits…
  • PARTNER: If you or your organisation might be interested in partnering with us on sponsored events or projects, email [email protected].
  • ADVERTISE: If your organisation would like to advertise or run sponsored pieces on LabourList‘s daily newsletter or website, contact our exclusive ad partners Total Politics at [email protected].