Labour to look at next steps after defeat

Published on Tuesday 29 May 2007 11:59

LABOUR MSPs will meet today to discuss the way forward following the party's worst election result in Scotland in a generation earlier this month.

However, Jack McConnell's position as leader will not be up for debate at the day-long Holyrood meeting, a spokeswoman said.

She insisted there was "absolutely no mood for change" among the party's 46 MSPs, and that Mr McConnell will discuss how he plans to take Labour forward in the coming "months and years".

The private meeting will review a Scottish Parliament election campaign that saw the SNP's Alex Salmond, whose party won one more MSP than Labour, become First Minister.

Members will also plan their approach to life as the largest party in opposition against an SNP minority government.

Meanwhile, with his party north of the Border deciding on their future, Tony Blair continued his long goodbye with a week-long tour of Africa. He was heading to Libya today, and will also visit Sierra Leone and South Africa.