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Scottish Labour to elect new leader after Sarwar exit

8/17/2026

25 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Scotland's Labour party will choose a leader after Anas Sarwar stepped down, with members voting 28 August–17 September 2026 and the winner announced 19 September 2026.
Monica Lennon, a Scottish Labour MSP, called the party “quite nasty” toward trans people after missing the nomination threshold.
Michael Marra and Joe Fagan met the nomination threshold by 10:00 and will contest the leadership, while Dame Jackie Baillie serves as acting leader.

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Story summary

Scotland's Labour party will choose a leader after Anas Sarwar stepped down, with members voting 28 August–17 September 2026 and the winner announced 19 September 2026.
Monica Lennon, a Scottish Labour MSP, called the party “quite nasty” toward trans people after missing the nomination threshold.
Michael Marra and Joe Fagan met the nomination threshold by 10:00 and will contest the leadership, while Dame Jackie Baillie serves as acting leader.