Monica Lennon: Scottish Labour leadership contest 'reeks of misogyny and male entitlement'
Monica Lennon, who is at risk of being excluded from the race, said Labour is operating like a ‘private members’ club’
A Scottish Labour leadership contender said the contest “reeks of misogyny and male entitlement” as the race to replace Anas Sarwar turns increasingly bitter.
Monica Lennon, who is at risk of not making the ballot, said Labour is operating like a “private members’ club”.
But her opponents said it was an “outrageous” to suggest that sexism was involved.
Ms Lennon, Joe Fagan and Michael Marra have all put themselves forward to replace Anas Sarwar as Scottish Labour leader.
Mr Fagan and Mr Marra have the required MSP and MP support to get on the ballot - while Ms Lennon currently does not have enough public backing.
Left-wing MSP Katy Clark is considering standing, but is yet to make a final decision. She too does not have the required support yet.
It means there is a real prospect of no women making it on to the ballot.
In a post on X, Ms Lennon said: “Scottish Labour is about to repeat the same mistakes. We can’t accuse others of cronyism if we operate like a private members’ club, placing personal and factional ties above principles and the country. We must debate big ideas, find our backbone and rediscover boldness.
“This ‘contest’ reeks of misogyny and male entitlement. That’s the road to nowhere. We’re not here for a social life or to win an occasional debate. We were created to win power for working class communities and lead in government, not from the gutter.
“The day after I declared my interests, I was on BBC Radio Scotland encouraging others to step forward.
“I’ve never feared a contest; it’s necessary. Why do men expect a coronation or a ballot without women?
Ms Lennon currently has the support of two MPs - Brian Leishman and Euan Stainbank. She needs the backing of one more, plus two other MSPs to make the ballot.
Because there is a limited pool of just 17 MSPs - including the candidates - Ms Lennon almost definitely needs the endorsement of Ms Clark and left-winger Carol Mochan, but she is yet to convince them to publicly support her.
Ms Clark has her own ambitions for the leadership, while Ms Mochan and Ms Lennon have differing views on trans rights.
But even if Ms Clark and Ms Mochan back Ms Lennon, it is not clear if any other MPs would back her.
A Labour source said that Ms Lennon’s suggestion that the contest was sexist was “outrageous” and that she was a “divisive” figure among parliamentarians.
But two Labour candidates for May’s Holyrood election - Vonnie Sandlan and Elizabeth Carr-Ellis - said it would be a “shame” not to have a woman on the ballot and there needs to be a “full range of opinions”.
The sexism row came as an MSP who had been tipped as a contender in the contest backed Mr Fagan for the job.
Paul Sweeney said it had “not been an easy decision” to not stand in the race - but the Glasgow MSP said he was endorsing Mr Fagan because of his record as leader of South Lanarkshire Council.
Mr Sweeney had been touted as a potential new leader in the days after Mr 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 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.
Mr Marra said: “I’m running in this contest to unite and renew the Scottish Labour party.
“Having spoken to and listened to colleagues across our movement it is clear we have to rediscover our sense of moral purpose. To offer hope again and to spell out what Scottish Labour is for, not simply who and what we are against.
“That means drawing on the strength and talent of all of our movement. Scottish Labour has always been strongest when it has been rooted in the lives of working people.
“That means working alongside trade unions, businesses, civic Scotland and local communities—not talking at them but listening to them and building solutions together. That approach is how we unite and renew Scottish Labour.”
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