Miliband goes hands on with Scottish Labour

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Labour leaders have often been reluctant to take a hands on role with Scottish Labour – for a multitude of differing reasons – but Ed Miliband will be eschewing that route in the weeks and months ahead.

Sources close to Miliband were keen to stress that the “root and branch” review (announced today in the wake of appalling Scottish Parliamentary results) will be run from the leader’s office, rather than by the Scottish party.

There are two ways in which this could be viewed. Either Miliband is taking a brave stance, and playing a hands on role in turning around what should be one of the strongest parts of the UK party, or Ed and his team don’t trust the party north of the border to do the job properly.

There is a sense – which seems shared by the leadership – that the Scottish Party didn’t see this disastrous result coming. By taking control over the review, the leader’s office can ensure that in future the Scottish party is not similarly remiss.

Scottish MPs, MSPs and activists – many of whom had misgivings about the campaign – will be encouraged to play a role in rebuilding the party to ensure that such a limp performance isn’t repeated.