Scottish Labour leadership nominations close today

NOMINATIONS for the Scottish Labour leadership contest are due to close today.

Three candidates - MP Jim Murphy (pictured) and MSPs Neil Findlay and Sarah Boyack - have announced their intention to stand. Picture: Toby Williams

Three candidates - MP Jim Murphy and MSPs Neil Findlay and Sarah Boyack - have announced their intention to stand.

• Leader: Labour must listen to Scottish electorate

The leadership contest was sparked by the resignation of Johann Lamont last month.

Labour's Sarah Boyack. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Ms Lamont, who had been in the job since December 2011, wanted the party to have more autonomy in Scotland, and left the role amid criticism of colleagues in the UK Labour Party.

Candidates are required to have the support of at least one eighth of Scottish Labour parliamentarians, with the ballot conducted through the Labour electoral college.

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Neil Findlay. Picture: Contributed

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Following the close of nominations, one third of the votes will be decided by the party’s parliamentarians, one third will go to members of the party in Scotland and the final third will go to those who are members of affiliated trade unions and societies.

Mr Murphy has been nominated by the highest number of parliamentarians, with support from 27 MPs and MSPs, while Mr Findlay has the support of trade union Unison.

A contest for a new deputy leader is also taking place after Anas Sarwar stepped down from the role.

• A consensus has emerged around Jim Murphy for the Scottish leadership but he’s not a shoo-in, instead, Sarah Boyack may be Labour’s best bet writes Lesley Riddoch

Two candidates - MSP Kezia Dugdale and MP Katy Clark are standing for the position.

Candidates for deputy leader had until 12pm yesterday to declare.

Elections for both roles will follow the same timetable, with the ballot commencing on November 17 and the new leadership team announced on December 13.

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