Dundee Labour Party swerved a crucial vote on under pressure Jim Murphy’s future just hours before the Scottish Labour leader faces a national crisis call.
The constituency was set to become the second in Scotland to call for him to quit after at a meeting on Friday night but kicked the issue on to a further meeting after “lengthy” discussions.
Labour’s Scottish executive will consider a motion of no confidence in Mr Murphy today after the party won just one Scottish seat in last week’s general election.
Local members voted to back Neil Findlay for the job during the leadership contest six months ago, even though Dundee-based MSP Jenny Marra was a key coordinator in Mr Murphy’s campaign.
It is understood Ms Marra did not take part in any debate on Mr Murphy’s future, owing to her position in the shadow cabinet.
A source said: “It was discussed at some length and it has been moved to the all-members meeting.
“The local party never supported Murphy and this election was a disaster.
“There are quite a few members who are disappointed they couldn’t pile on the pressure ahead of the national vote.”
The debate raged after the Communication Workers Union (CWU) became the latest union to call on Mr Murphy to go.
A spokesman said: “CWU is calling for the resignation of Jim Murphy as Scottish Labour leader following the party’s performance in the general election, which was particularly disastrous in Scotland.
“It is clear that the Labour Party needs to rebuild in Scotland and CWU believes that will be done most effectively under new leadership.”
It is expected Mr Murphy will survive today’s vote on his future at Labour’s headquarters in Glasgow but he has had a difficult week.
Mr Findlay and Cowdenbeath MSP Alex Rowley quit shadow frontbench roles, while Unison, Unite and Aslef also intimated their desire for Mr Murphy to step down.
It also emerged at least two members of the shadow cabinet are prepared to resign and publicly call for Mr Murphy’s head should his deputy Kezia Dugdale, who has publicly backed her boss so far, indicate a willingness to become leader.