Lennon criticises 'nasty' Scottish Labour as leadership bid fails

Monica Lennon has harshly criticized Scottish Labour, describing it as "quite nasty" and expressing concerns about the party's stance on transgender rights. Lennon, a passionate advocate for trans rights, did not receive enough nominations to join Michael Marra and Joe Fagan in the race to replace Anas Sarwar as party leader. Both Marra and Fagan have shown reservations about recent efforts by the Scottish Parliament to simplify the process for changing legally recognized sex.

Lennon expressed her disappointment, stating that Scottish Labour should demonstrate compassion and respect towards trans people. She questioned if any transgender members remained within the party, as they did not vote for her. Sarwar initiated the leadership contest after announcing his intention to step down as party leader and MSP to join a government led by Andy Burnham.

Lennon called upon the candidates to improve and condemned the use of anonymous briefings during the contest. She warned against moving to the right and urged the party to engage in a "battle of ideas." Fagan emphasized the need to respect work, support communities, and provide working people with real power over the future. He rejected the description of the party as "nasty" and emphasized the importance of treating everyone with compassion.

Marra expressed his humility in joining the ballot and looked forward to a friendly competition, believing that the next leader should unite the party, rediscover its purpose, and reconnect with Scotland. Lennon, a former MP for a decade, expressed her disappointment and wished both candidates well. She highlighted the need for a united party and the importance of respecting the LGBTQ community.