Scottish Labour is set to announce a new party leader following the departure of Anas Sarwar from Holyrood. Multiple outlets report that the party’s internal leadership race is between MSPs Michael Marra and Joe Fagan, with the winner replacing Sarwar as leader.
The change comes after Sarwar leaves Holyrood to take up a role in Andy Burnham’s government. The Glasgow Times frames the leadership announcement in the context of the party’s worst-ever result in a Scottish Parliament election, while the Evening Standard focuses on the upcoming selection process between the two candidates. The Daily Record reports that Marra is ultimately selected and becomes the 11th permanent Labour leader of the devolution era.
Across the reports, all acknowledge the same contenders and the same reason for the leadership vacancy—Sarwar’s move away from Holyrood. They differ mainly in emphasis, with one outlet stressing the party’s election performance and another focusing on the leadership outcome and tenure count.
