Scottish Labour leader steps down
The leader of the Scottish Labour party has stepped down with immediate effect, hitting out at “dinosaurs” in the UK party.
Johann Lamont led the party in Scotland from 2011, and was a vocal advocate of same-sex marriage during the equal marriage process.
She released a video last year through the Equality Network calling for same-sex marriage to be introduced, while she said in Parliament: “Equal marriage really matters to me because I believe in equality, and I think it’s right that LGBT people who are in love should be able to marry.”
Ms Lamont is the second Scottish party leader to stand down recently, following Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond, who resigned after Scotland rejected Independence.
She told the Daily Record: “I am standing down so that the debate our country demands can take place.
“There is a danger of Scottish politics being between two sets of dinosaurs… the Nationalists who can’t accept they were rejected by the people, and some colleagues at Westminster who think nothing has changed.”
The Equality Network said: “On the news of her resignation as Scottish Labour leader, we would like to thank Johann Lamont for her strong support for equality over very many years and her clear leadership in favour of equal marriage.”
As the Labour leader resigned with immediate effect, her deputy, Glasgow Central MP Anas Sarwar, will become acting leader until an election can be held.
Mr Sawar – who also voted in favour of equal marriage – will become the first Muslim acting leader of the party.
Ed Miliband said: “Johann Lamont deserves significant credit for the successful No vote in the Scottish referendum campaign.
“She campaigned the length and breadth of Scotland making the case for social justice within the United Kingdom.
“She has led the Scottish Labour Party with determination. I know she will continue to serve her constituents.”
