Touted Scottish Labour leadership contender backs Joe Fagan

Paul Sweeney said it had “not been an easy decision” to not stand in the race.

The Glasgow MSP said he was endorsing Mr Fagan because of his record as leader of South Lanarkshire Council.

It means that Mr Fagan now has the required number of MSP backers to enter the contest. He still needs the backing of one more MP and the support of three affiliates, two of which must be unions.

Mr Sweeney had been touted as a potential new leader in the days after Anas Sarwar resigned to take up a place in the House of Lords and become a UK Government minister.

But as the days went on and he had not announced his candidacy, it had become expected that he would back Mr Fagan.

Mr Fagan is up against Monica Lennon - who took Mr Sarwar’s Glasgow seat - and Labour’s shadow finance secretary Michael Marra.

Mr Sweeney said: “Over recent days I have thought long and hard about whether to seek nominations for the leadership of Scottish Labour.

“I have been grateful for the encouragement I have received from party members, trade unionists, councillors and colleagues who want to see our party make a clear socialist, co-operative and municipal offer to Scotland.

“After careful consideration, I have decided that I will not stand in this contest.

“That has not been an easy decision. I believe Scottish Labour needs to rediscover its confidence as a party of work, industry, housing, public services and community power.

“We need to speak again for the places that built Scotland, and for people who feel politics has become too distant from their lives.

“For me, the candidate best placed to carry that argument is Joe Fagan.

“Joe’s record in South Lanarkshire matters. He has led one of Scotland’s largest councils, made difficult decisions, balanced budgets and delivered for people who depend on local services every day.

“He understands local government, respects our trade union movement and knows that power has to sit closer to the people and communities it affects.

“I believe Joe is the candidate who can best ensure those values are represented in this contest.

“That is why I am backing him, and why I encourage colleagues and party members who want a rooted, socialist and municipal Scottish Labour Party to give him their support.”

Mr Fagan thanked him for his endorsement.

He said: “I am grateful to Paul for his support and for the serious contribution he continues to make to Scottish Labour and our movement.

“Paul understands that Scottish Labour cannot be a party of the Holyrood bubble.

“We have to bring our party back to the service of our movement and the people of Scotland.

“That means standing up for work, housing, public services, local power and the communities that built our country.

“I am working every day to win the support to do that, unite our party and prove again that Scottish Labour is on people’s side.”

Nominations for leader open on Monday and close two weeks later.