Scottish Labour's Election Result 'Disaster Made in Downing Street'
Former Labour MSP Monica Lennon described Scottish Labour's performance in the recent Holyrood election as a "disaster...made in Downing Street." Lennon, who lost her seat in the May election, stated that voters were unable to look past the prime minister's unpopularity, which meant "Scottish Labour couldn't get a hearing."
When asked on The Sunday Show if the party required improved positions on the constitution, Lennon responded,
"Labour needs better answers on everything, frankly."She also commented on Andy Burnham's potential leadership, saying he was "not the Messiah" but could lead the Labour Party into a "new era."
In May, Scottish Labour recorded its worst-ever result in a Holyrood election, losing four seats and securing only 17 of the 129 seats available.
'People Felt Really Disappointed'
Lennon expressed her expectation that if Andy Burnham became prime minister, there would be a decentralisation of power in Scotland. She reiterated her view that the Scottish election disaster for Scottish Labour was caused by actions from Downing Street.
"I think the Scottish election disaster for Scottish Labour was made in Downing Street,"
she told the programme. However, she cautioned,
"But Andy Burnham is not a Messiah. We're not waiting for a leader to come and change Scottish Labour's fortunes.
But looking back I think it clearly was going to be difficult for Scottish Labour to make progress."
Lennon identified Sir Keir Starmer as "the issue," noting that during the Scottish election campaign it became apparent that "people felt really disappointed." She added that those who switched parties to vote for Labour in 2024 "expected better from Labour."
"I think there was a frustration that the pace of change was too slow,"
she said.
Regarding Sir Keir's judgment, Lennon cited the scandals involving Peter Mandelson as a contributing factor, stating,
"He had just run out of road. Scottish Labour couldn't get a hearing."
Lennon further explained,
"Anyone who's been involved with Scottish Labour's campaign knows that the issue on the door was Keir Starmer, the UK government and their performance.
Even if people liked the policies, they couldn't get past what was happening in Downing Street.
For a lot of our candidates, that was deeply frustrating."
She noted that Scottish Labour would be reviewing its future over the summer, with Anas Sarwar overseeing the process. Lennon described this as an opportunity for party members to express their frustrations.
"This is an opportunity for those in the party to get their frustration out,"
she said. Lennon also emphasized the need for the Scottish party to have "more control over our destiny," suggesting that breaking away from the UK party should not be dismissed.
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