THERE’S growing anger among Labour’s grassroots over a secret deal that all but guarantees Richard Leonard a seat in Holyrood next year.
Under the party’s rules, the leader is guaranteed the top spot on one of the regional lists.
Currently, Leonard – who stood down as chief on Thursday – is the number one candidate on Labour’s for Central.
But following his resignation, there have been calls for him to lose this perk.
However, according to multiple reports – which allies of the ex-chief dispute – Leonard negotiated his place on the list as part of a “dignified” exit.
Former general secretary Brian Roy was unhappy with the agreement.
He tweeted: “Surely the rules only permit the Leader to occupy the top spot on the List? Wait, they do. I originally wrote them.”
READ MORE: Did Richard Leonard’s defiance of Keir Starmer on Brexit lead to his demise?
He added: “Surely, resigning as Leader means losing the privileges of being Leader. He doesn’t get to keep doing FMQs. The spirit of the protected place is to ensure – as far as possible – the election of the Leader and free him or her from an internal selection contest.”
Former MP Gemma Doyle tweeted: “This will not fly I’m afraid and reeks of elite privilege. I would be very surprised if the [Labour’s ruling Scottish Executive Committee] allows this which they will have to.”
It’s not quite clear what would happen if he is removed from the top of the list as party members are already voting on the order, and Leonard won’t be on the ballot.
That raises the prospect of him being denied a chance to even stand at next year’s election.
However, if he does get to keep his spot, that could cause further problems.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon has said she is considering a run in the leadership contest.
If she’s successful then she could possibly end up number two on the list, behind the ex-leader.
It’s also slightly hypocritical. Last year Leonard proposed that the number one slots on the regional lists for Holyrood, apart from the leader and deputy leader, be “guaranteed” for women.
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