THE SCOTTISH Socialist Party’s press and policy co-ordinator Alan McCombes yesterday announced his intention to stand for the leadership of the party, writes Steve Bargeton, political editor.

He and SSP MSP Colin Fox will go head to head at the party’s conference in Perth next month to replace Tommy Sheridan, who quit last year.

Mr McCombes (49), who is the partner of SSP MSP Carolyn Leckie, said, “I was asked by large numbers of grassroots activists to put my name forward because they trust my judgment.

“They have confidence in my ability to galvanise the party and they respect my track record.”

He said he did not want to see a “coronation” through an uncontested election. “It’s not going to be King Colin—and it’s not going to be King Alan either.”

The contest will be decided at the party’s conference in Perth on February 12-13.

A party spokesman said it was possible there could be moves at the conference to shelve the contest and open up a wider debate on what form of leadership the party should have, and whether this should be individual or collegiate.