New leader Johann Lamont vows Labour will be party for 'all of Scotland'
New Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont has pledged to look beyond the party's central belt heartland and refocus on areas like Dundee.
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 20.12.11
- Published online : 20.12.11 @ 07.55am
The Glasgow Pollok MSP told The Courier she is determined Labour will become a party for ''all of Scotland'' as part of its fightback against SNP dominance.
After the new shadow cabinet met for the first time in Glasgow, she said. ''We cannot be a central belt party. The issues that people care about — fears about jobs and the economy, the quality of education, aspirations for Scotland and the next generation — are as relevant in Dundee and Fife as they are in any other part of Scotland.''
Labour won both Dundee Scottish Parliament seats in 1999 but lost both to the Nationalists by a substantial margin in May's election.
Senior Labour MSP James Kelly claimed the results showed the disastrous consequences of focusing on the central belt at the expense of other areas.
The SNP won all of the constituency seats in the north east of Scotland region, taking the scalps of long-serving MSPs from other parties.
Labour also posted terrible results across Fife, losing the former stronghold of Kirkcaldy in one of the biggest upsets of the night. But Ms Lamont insisted she is the leader to turn around the party's fortunes.
''I want to show that we truly are the party of Scotland again, listening, learning and hearing what people say,'' she said.
''People gave us a harsh lesson at the last election and so we have to change. As the new leader, I know we have to change Scottish Labour and I am determined to do so.''
The new shadow cabinet sees Hugh Henry become spokesman for education and lifelong learning, but leaves Jackie Baillie in charge of health.
There was also a role for unsuccessful leadership contender Ken Macintosh, who was given finance and sustainable growth. Patricia Ferguson will be spokeswoman for culture, external affairs and the Commonwealth Games and Richard Baker becomes spokesman for infrastructure and capital investment.
Lewis Macdonald was appointed justice spokesman, Sarah Boyack becomes spokeswoman for local government and planning and Claire Baker becomes spokeswoman for rural affairs and environment. Paul Martin remains parliamentary business manager and James Kelly is the chief whip.
Kezia Dugdale becomes youth employment spokeswoman and Siobhan McMahon becomes an aide to Ms Lamont, f ocusing on external engagement. But there was no role for Dundee-based MSP Jenny Marra, who supported Mr Macintosh in the contest and has been widely viewed as a rising star in the party.
After the first round of counting on Saturday, Ms Lamont had 51.77% of the votes, putting her ahead of Mr Macintosh with 40.28% and Glasgow South MP Tom Harris, who came in third with 7.95%.
However, the result drew some criticism as the majority of members supported Mr Macintosh, with Ms Lamont relying on the support of parliamentarians and affiliated trade unions.
She becomes the first person to lead the whole of the party in Scotland, rather than just the Holyrood group, after changes to the structure in the summer.
But SNP MSP Jamie Hepburn said the cabinet was the ''same old faces''. ''Johann Lamont may have talked about change since her appointment on Saturday but her actions do not live up to her words,'' he added.
10.03am - 20.12.2011 Mac - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Jenny Marra is in the wrong party. If you are not from Glasgow or deepest Lanarkshire then you stand no hope of ever being elevated in the Labour party structure.
04.03pm - 20.12.2011 John Smith - Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
This article is out of date. Jenny Marra has been appointed Shadow Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs.
05.29pm - 20.12.2011 Rab - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
Well, that's the hope in SNP ranks. Fortunately, Ms Marra is one who believes in social democracy, not nationalism.
10.32pm - 20.12.2011 Scott Ewan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Jimmy Krankie, anyone?
08.00am - 21.12.2011 The Courier - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Since this article was written, it has indeed become clear that Jenny Marra has been appointed Shadow Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs.
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