Rachael Smith | Reporter

Scottish labour leader, Kezia Dugdale, took a shock resignation from the party last week. As more unfolds on this unexpected decision is clear that Dugdale feels that Scottish Labour needs a newer, more modernised, leader.

 

One with “fresh energy” to be exact. The leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, commented on the situation saying,

“I want to thank Kez for her tireless service to our party and movement, and look forward to campaigning with her in future.”

Nicola Sturgeon also took to her Twitter to let the people of the UK know that she held a deep admiration for Dugdale and the way she lead her party with “guts and determination”.

The announcement of Kezia’s resignation came only 48 hours after Corbyn had just completed touring nearly 20 Scottish constituencies. Officials of the Scottish Labour party have said that they predicted that the public would inevitably link this tour to Dugdale’s resignation although, a senior MSP stated that he had no idea of Kezia’s plans to retire from the leadership position.

The public also seemingly had no idea as Dugdale had stated that she would stay with the party well after the 2021 Holyrood elections.

Kezia Dugdale’s stepping down will mean that a sixth Scottish Labour leadership election will have to be held. A predicted winner and favourite for the recently-up-for-grabs post will be Anas Sarwar, who was previously Scottish Labour’s deputy leader and current health spokesman for the party at Holyrood.

However, die-hard Corbynites are hopeful that a left winger will emerge to stand for the leadership of the Scottish Labour Party, and “widen the franchise.”

With the recent repairs to the Labour party under Mr. Corbyn standing the party in good stead for the future, it remains clear that there is still a lacking support for Scottish Labour. In the recent snap election, disastrous results for Dugdale’s former political endeavours have left Scottish Labour in tatters.

Unfortunately it can be said that even “guts and determination” just isn’t enough to empower left-wing politics against that of the powerful new-age conservatism.

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