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By-election loser backs Gray to lead Labour

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Published Date: 31 July 2008
MARGARET Curran, the Labour MSP who lost the Glasgow East by-election, yesterday pledged her support to Iain Gray in his battle for the leadership of the party in Scotland.
Ruling herself out of the race to replace Wendy Alexander, Mrs Curran said: "The time is right now for a new voice and a fresh start, and I believe that the best person for the job is Iain Gray."

Elsewhere, rival candidate Andy Kerr visited Glasgow East to meet voters who had deserted Labour in favour of the SNP, while fellow MSP and leadership contender Cathy Jamieson pledged support for a review of Scotland's railways.

She said a not-for-profit Network Rail was not enough and called for an inquiry into the FirstScotrail franchise.

Charlie Gordon, the Glasgow Cathcart MSP, and Ken Macintosh, the East Renfrewshire MSP, are also possible contenders. Mr Gordon is still seeking nominations and Mr Macintosh is expected to declare his intentions today.





The full article contains 166 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 30 July 2008 9:59 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Ghost Of Scotland Past,

31/07/2008 00:10:53
Does it matter who leads the labour party into oblivion
they are following the Scottish Tories into political
irrelevence. A new system of the people for the people
is what is needed, and their is only one party which can deliver it!
2

DouglasT,

31/07/2008 01:12:40
He must feel reassured now that he is being backed by a loser.
3

Wisnaeme,

31/07/2008 02:09:30

...and Gray will back precisely whom for deputy leader?
.
4

Guga II,

Rockall 31/07/2008 02:18:59
Given that Gray is the preferred candidate of Maggie Broon, this is just Curran, the loser, showing her loyalty (brown-nosing) to her boss. Does she not realise yet that her boss is a loser too, and that he'll be ordering a removals van in the near future.


5

Oldnat,

31/07/2008 02:25:36
#5 Guga

Not sure that Broon's support means anything anymore. The "Iron Chancellor" hasn't just lost his grip of the economy and UK Labour (PLC), but even SLAB. Any bets on him holding Kirkcaldy?
6

Snuffy Ivy,

Somewhere else 31/07/2008 03:50:48
We have a loser backing a loser for a lost cause.
Thenew Batman movie is more credible than this!
7

tog,

Edinburgh 31/07/2008 08:20:58
I think Gray would be a good candidate. He has little baggage and is not part of the West coast Labour mafia. It is vital that we try to revive the political life of Scotland which is currently at a low. A minority government with no real friends except sometimes the Conservatives and with no effective opposition is not a good position for Scotland. The real message of the Glasgow East End by election is we have to tackle poverty and disadvantage and tackle them now and make this the number one political project in Scotland. How can we move forward when the statistics for our largest city are so deeply shaming. Playing the blame game or indulging in utopian dreaming where we are instantly transformed into Scandinavia is not good enough. We are woefully served by our MSPs
8

Linda,

Edinburgh 31/07/2008 08:45:27
Why did Scotsman not report that Cathie Jamieson failed to turn up for her press conference at Waverley Station?

I suppose Johnson Press couldn't afford the travel expenses or else editor decides not to embarrass Labour.

9

Spoot,

Third rock pool on the left 31/07/2008 09:00:58
#8

I think we should be told - who is Gray's little baggage?
10

The Former Mr. Angry,

Perth 31/07/2008 09:02:56
Wonder if Iain Gray had a choice in Margaret Curran voicing support? Nothing like a loser to support you. And if she is trying to curry favour with the other Big Loser, one wonders what for? They're all doomed!
11

Mr. Lachie Todd,

Edinburgh 31/07/2008 09:05:12
What an endorsement from the candidate who led the Labour Party in Scotland to defeat at Glasgow East!

For a political loser, her choice of leadership candidates would appear to be appropriate?

Only a few weeks ago, her choice of candidate for the leadership of the Labour Party in Scotland very naively claimed that the Nationalists could not rely on the ever increasing price of oil(and now gas) in funding an independent Scottish State?

According to the Financial Times it is estimated that, in the past 12 months, as a result of the doubling of oil and gas price rises the Treasury will raise an additional £4.5 billion in VAT, and corporation tax!

The Labour Party in Scotland is about to find that the well of political leadership in Scotland is, unlike the massive oil fields in the North Sea, completely dry!
12

donald,

glasgow 31/07/2008 09:08:43
Loser backs loser. News?
13

gus1940,

Edinburgh 31/07/2008 09:12:26
Now that the by-election is over should the media not be getting stuck into Marshall's £500K (and the rest)instead of wall to wall coverage of some political dwarfs fighting to grasp the poisoned chalice of weekly humiliiation at FMQ's.
14

Boggle fey the Bog,

31/07/2008 09:21:09
"Cathy Jamieson pledged support for a review of Scotland's railways.

She said a not-for-profit Network Rail was not enough and called for an inquiry into the FirstScotrail franchise."

Now, I maybe be wrong, but I maybe be right, But wis it no Nu Labour/Owld Torie that set up Railtrack, efter they said they weren't going to 'privatise' the railways before they were elected.

And wis it no Nu Labout/Owld Torie alang wi the FibDims that awarded the last Scotrail franchise,and wis Catie Jimisen no a meenister in the adminstration!!

As a said I may be right, I may be wrong, but I really think ahm right oan this yin.

The wumin really is a dunderheid, did ye watch her oan Newsnight th'other night whit a chancer!!!

And as fur Madge backin Yin Grey fulla well thats his death nell.
15

Embra Don,

31/07/2008 09:29:50
8 tog, Edinburgh

It was our MPs not our MSPs who presided over the destruction of steel and railway manufacturing in Glasgow East. Remember - "unemployment in the 'north' is a price worth paying to stop the South overheating"? MSPs have little control over macro economic levers - yet.
16

Number 6,

Germany 31/07/2008 10:25:03
"Big Margrit" is backing "the man in grey" because despite her assurances that many members have urged her to stand, she has not received a single nomination for the leadership contest. Unfortunatley for her, you need 5 nominations to get on the ballot.

"Big Cathy" is leading with 10, 3 more than Gray.
No one else, including Kerr,has received a single nomination so far.

17

Number 6,

Germany 31/07/2008 10:33:16
#8 Gray does have litle baggage, but he has the distinction of losing a labour seat, to the TORIES in Scotland. Now that takes some doing.

Not to worry, having been rejected by labour in his own constituency, they simply parachuted him into his current seat. Competency, leadership, ability ? "och naw son, nae need fur that. here huv another go".

As an East Coaster, I would suggest he has no chance.
18

Scottish 'N British,

31/07/2008 12:02:44
Competency, leadership, ability ? "och naw son, nae need fur that. here huv another go".

Ironic, I thought of Mason there.
19

megz,

glasgow 31/07/2008 16:43:18
Does it really matter which numpty becomes the group leader?? I would suggest that should cathy not win, do not have her as deputy as she really is jinxed how many leaders has she been through now???
20

Eve,

Scotland 01/08/2008 21:01:25
Cracker of a head line!!!

 

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