ALLIES of Labour MSP Andy Kerr have launched a last-minute bid to persuade him to join the race to be the next Scottish Labour leader.
Friends of the finance spokesman are said to be making a final effort to get him to stand, with the leadership contest for the party set to begin on Friday.
Campaigning for the post vacated by Wendy Alexander has been postponed until then because
of the Glasgow East by-election.
But jostling for position is expected to begin as soon as the verdict is read out on Friday morning.
Enterprise spokesman Iain Gray will definitely put his own name forward while allies of deputy leader Cathy Jamieson have also been canvassing MSPs to gauge her levels of support.
Kerr was expected to be a strong candidate for the job but he has surprised friends by refusing to confirm his candidacy. It is understood he is concerned about the pressures the job will place on his family life.
One close ally said: "We have urged him to throw his hat into the ring. He would stand a very good chance."
Kerr was expected to stand against Alexander this time last year when she took over from Jack McConnell.
Alexander quit her job last month after she was suspended from Parliament when a committee found she had failed to declare cash gifts received as part of her leadership campaign.
The full article contains 240 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
