McConnell to stand for re-election in 2011 but denies leadership bid

Published on Sunday 22 November 2009 22:12

FORMER first minister Jack McConnell has denied reports he is set to launch a bid for the leadership of the Scottish Labour Party, after it was confirmed he is to stand for election to Holyrood again in 2011.

Mr McConnell told Labour officials in his Motherwell and Wishaw constituency he is ready to fight the 2011 election. He had been expected to stand down as an MSP and take up a post as the UK's High Commissioner in Malawi, but the job is unlikely to continue if the Conservatives win next year's general election.

This, coupled with his political profile being raised recently, fuelled speculation that he was preparing to challenge Iain Gray for the Labour leadership in the wake of the 2011 poll.

He is thought to be unhappy with Mr Gray's performance as leader, despite his recent successes against Alex Salmond at First Minister's Questions.

Mr McConnell moved to quell the leadership rumours yesterday, insisting he was not eyeing Mr Gray's job, or another front-bench role, even if Labour suffered defeat at the hands of the SNP in 2011.

His spokesman insisted: "Jack is not after a job from Iain and he is not after Iain Gray's job. Jack is extremely supportive of Iain Gray's leadership and the punches he is landing on the Nats.

"He feels he can make a contribution to Scottish politics on issues where he is a renowned expert, like tackling sectarianism, as he did this week."

Labour's political opponents said the speculation highlighted a "leadership vacuum" at the heart of the party. SNP MSP Christina McKelvie said the "whispering campaign" would have caused Mr Gray to "choke on his cornflakes."

She said: "Jack McConnell's other career plans have bitten the dust, yet despite his record of defeat to the SNP, he is still seen as a more effective leader than Iain Gray, which says it all. With Iain Gray, it truly is the case that his political opponents sit on the benches opposite but his political enemies sit behind him."

Mr McConnell stood down as Labour leader after six years in the aftermath of the party's historic defeat to the SNP in the Holyrood election of 2007.

Since then, he has forged strong links with Africa, becoming an adviser to the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative in Malawi and being appointed a special envoy to the continent by the Foreign Office.

He was tipped to take up the role of High Commissioner in the African country early this year, but his appointment was postponed amid rumours the Labour Party was unwilling to risk losing the by-election that would be triggered by his departure. Following Mr McConnell's decision to fight for his seat, that posting is now in doubt.

Confirmation of his intentions came as Labour officials canvassed all of their 46 MSPs, asking them to confirm their candidacy. All but one – George Foulkes – said they were to stand.