2001 Scottish Labour leadership election

2001 Scottish Labour Party leadership election

←  2000 1 August – 13 September 2008 2007  →

Candidate Jack McConnell

Leader before election Henry McLeish Elected Leader Jack McConnell

The 2001 Scottish Labour Party leadership election was an internal party election to choose a new leader of the Labour Party in the Scottish Parliament, and was triggered following the resignation of Henry McLeish following the Officegate political scandal. ^[1]

It was the second Scottish Labour leadership election in as many years, the first being caused by the death of Donald Dewar, ^[1] following the Scottish Labour victory in the 1999 Scottish Parliament election, however in this election, McConnell was unopposed, meaning that no ballot actually took place. ^{[2] [3]}

During the election Jack McConnell held a press conference to announce that he had had an affair seven years ago, and considered that he had "betrayed" his wife's trust. ^[4]

Response

McConnell was the only candidate to have the required seven nominations at 1700 GMT on 13 November, 2001. ^[5]

References

1. "Profile: Henry McLeish". BBC News. 8 November 2001. Archived from the original on 2 October 2002. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
2. "McConnell elected first minister". BBC News. 22 November 2001. Archived from the original on 18 February 2003. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
3. "Tory leader attacks contest". BBC News. 22 November 2001. Archived from the original on 18 December 2002. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
4. Massie, Allan (26 November 2001). "Fit to rule the land of Braveheart?". The New Statesman. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
5. "Free run shortens leadership race". BBC News. 13 November 2001. Archived from the original on 17 December 2002. Retrieved 7 June 2025.