Labour's new leader slapped down by Des Browne

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Sep 14, 2008 | by Edd McCracken

JUST minutes after being elected as Scottish Labour leader, Iain Gray set himself on a potential collision course with London.

As he declared victory, the former Scottish enterprise minister said that the nature of his win effectively made him leader of Labour in Scotland, not just of the MSPs in Holyrood.

His comments immediately brought a rebuke from Des Browne, secretary of state for Scotland, who said he expected Gray to "respect the structure of this party".

Gray said: "The job I have been elected to has the title 'leader of Labour in the Scottish parliament' but the mandate of the election is a wider one than that."

And he said his was because he was elected by "the whole membership, affiliated trade unions and MPs, as well as MSPs", adding: "As the leader I have responsibility for affiliated trade unions and, above all, individual party members."

Traditionally, the leader of Labour in the Scottish parliament is responsible solely for Labour MSPs.

Browne said: "Iain has gone and engaged with every part of the party in Scotland. The support he has gleaned in doing that shows he is supported by the broadest possible base in Scotland and he is entitled to say that. Iain, I know, respects the structure of this party."

Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP deputy leader, said: "Just a few minutes into the job and Iain Gray has kicked off a turf war, mirroring the civil war that is breaking out among Labour in London.

At least [former leader] Wendy Alexander waited a few months before splitting Labour from top to bottom.

"This spat indicates that nothing has changed for Labour, and the wounds have not healed. They are far more interested in fighting with each other than serving the people." Tavish Scott, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said: "This sort of dither and indecision is exactly what has cost Labour the confidence of the country."