Jim Murphy’s reform plan “key to Labour fightback”

Jim Murphy stands down as Scottish Labour leader. Picture: John Devlin

Scottish Labour’s Executive Committee will meet in Glasgow today to vote on Mr Murphy’s reform package, which he will present to the party before formally stepping down as leader.

Mr Murphy’s proposed reforms include operating a one person, one vote system for the leadership election.

This would replace the electoral college system which requires a majority vote in at least two out of three blocks, comprising elected members, ordinary members and unions.

Mr Murphy was elected despite opposition from the union college, which backed his left-wing opponent Neil Findlay last year.

He announced his intention to resign last month, despite winning a narrow vote of confidence from the party’s executive following Scottish Labour’s crushing defeat at the general election.

The Blairite former MP launched a parting shot at Unite boss Len McCluskey and his influence over the party, insisting he should have no say in the appointment of Labour’s new leaders in Scotland and the UK.

Other proposed reforms including reopening the regional lists to attract the widest possible range of candidates for the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections, and setting out the timetable for the forthcoming election of the leader and deputy leader of Scottish Labour.

Current deputy leader Kezia Dugdale and social justice spokesman Ken Macintosh are standing to replace Mr Murphy.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Glackin said: “The road back for Scottish Labour will be long and hard.

“There is no one single solution that will revive our fortunes overnight, but the proposals we will vote on at the Scottish Executive Committee will be key to our fightback.

“The Scottish Parliament elections are less than a year away. We need to get our party into shape to hold the SNP Government to account and offer a credible alternative to the people of Scotland.”

Have you visited our new Scottish food and drink site?