SHADOW Scottish secretary Lesley Laird is poised to become the party's deputy leader in Scotland. Laird is the only declared candidate ahead of the close of nominations for the post tomorrow.
The news means the party is set to avoid a summer-long contest. Officials had agreed a timetable of over three months. The winner not due to be declared until either August 31 or September 1.
However, Laird could be the deputy leader within days, it has emerged. Labour MSP Monica Lennon, who had been tipped as the frontrunner, ruled herself out of the race over a month ago. There was also speculation that Labour MSPs such as Jenny Marra, Jackie Baillie and Pauline McNeill would stand. However, it is understood that only Laird has put her name forward.
The MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath is a member of Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet at Westminster. She has also served as acting deputy to Richard Leonard since the post was vacated by Alex Rowley last December. Scottish Labour confirmed that if only one candidate was nominated, they would be installed as deputy leader in the coming days.
A party spokesman said: “In the event of a single validly nominated candidate at the close of nominations there will be an event to formally confirm the appointment of a new deputy leader within days.”
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