2000 Scottish Labour leadership election

none May 2017 Henry McLeish Jack McConnell 160x160px 160x160px 44 36 Leader Donald Dewar Henry McLeish no 2001 Scottish Labour leadership election 2001 11 – 22 October 2000 Scotland presidential 1998 Scottish Labour leadership election 1998 The 2000 Scottish Labour 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 death of Donald Dewar, the inaugural leader and first minister of Scotland. Henry McLeish successfully defeated Jack McConnell, by 44 to 36 votes, and was subsequently appointed to office.Two in race to succeed Dewar en The Times https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/scotland-travel/two-in-race-to-succeed-dewar-s39ztwdn8xn 21 March 2023 0140-0460Millar Stuart 2000-10-22 McLeish scores narrow victory en-GB The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2000/oct/22/uk.scotlanddevolution 2023-03-21 0261-3077 Background In the 1997 UK general election, Tony Blair's Labour Party won a landslide victory and he formed a majority government, with Dewar as Secretary of State for Scotland.23 January 2017 Donald Dewar: Scottish Parliament's founding father The Scotsman https://www.scotsman.com/news/donald-dewar-scottish-parliaments-founding-father-3097050 21 March 2023 He was task forced with the responsibility of re-establishing a devolved parliament in Scotland and created the Scotland Act 1998. In the first election to the Scottish Parliament in 1999, the Labour Party in Scotland emerged as the largest party and later formed a coalition with the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Dewar was subsequently appointed as the inaugural first minister of Scotland. He also served as the first leader of the Labour Party in Scotland. Dewar died in office, triggering the election.2000-10-10 Donald Dewar dies after fall https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/donald-dewar-dies-after-fall-634695.html 2023-03-21 The Independent en Campaign Jack McConnell, the finance minister, announced his candidacy for leader on 19 October.News in brief https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1371018/News-in-brief.html 2023-03-20 www.telegraph.co.uk In a statement to the media he outlined his key commitments including retaining social justice as the number one priority and purpose, leading without fear of favour in an open and democratic style, putting equality at the centre of all matters. building a partnership with the party to win elections, working with Labour councillors to improve local services, and keeping the parties of opposition "where they belong - in opposition".BBC NEWS In Depth Donald Dewar Jack McConnell: Campaign statement https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/scotland/2000/donald_dewar/979594.stm 2023-03-21 news.bbc.co.uk McConnell received pressure by Chancellor Gordon Brown not to stand, giving McLeish an unopposed contest, but he issued a "keep out" warning to Westminster.BBC NEWS In Depth Donald Dewar McConnell in 'keep out' warning https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/scotland/2000/donald_dewar/980576.stm 2023-03-21 news.bbc.co.uk Henry McLeish, the enterprise and lifelong learning, served as an informal "deputy", working with Dewar on the Scotland Act, announced his candidacy less than 24 hours after Dewar's funeral.McLeish’s hour? The Economist https://www.economist.com/britain/2000/10/19/mcleishs-hour 2023-03-20 0013-0613 McLeish stated he was confident he could lead the government to "electoral success" and he promised to carry Dewar's vision forward, something he described as the "unfinished business".BBC NEWS In Depth Donald Dewar Henry McLeish: Campaign statement https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/scotland/2000/donald_dewar/979994.stm 2023-03-21 news.bbc.co.uk He was seen as the most experienced candidate, having served in both the UK and Scottish Cabinets. However, McLeish lacked the "common touch" and support of backbench MSPs.BBC NEWS In Depth Donald Dewar Henry McLeish? https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/scotland/2000/donald_dewar/969760.stm 2023-03-21 news.bbc.co.uk Candidates CandidatePolitical officeDate DeclaredCampaign progressionRef. Reference(s)207x207pxJack McConnellMinister for Finance (1999–2000) General Secretary of the Labour Party in Scotland (1992–1998) MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw (1999–2011)19 October 2000Defeated206x206pxHenry McLeishMinister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning (1999–2000) Minister of State for Scotland (1997–1999) MSP for Central Fife (1999–2003) MP for Central Fife (1987–2001)19 October 2000Elected Election process The party's rule is that leaders are elected by an electoral college, consisting of votes by members of the UK Parliament and Scottish Parliament, party members and trade union members.2014-11-17 Labour’s current system of leadership selection is a self-imposed handicap https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/labours-self-imposed-leadership-and-election-handicaps/ 2023-03-20 British Politics and Policy at LSE However, in this election only the 27 voting members of the executive committee of the Scottish Labour Party and the 54 Scottish parliamentary Labour group voted in the election. This was because the Scotland Act 1998 constitutes a first minister must be appointed within 28 days resulting in a tight timescale for a leadership race.BBC News DONALD DEWAR Scottish Labour in search for leader https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/scotland/2000/donald_dewar/979075.stm 2023-03-20 news.bbc.co.ukScotland Act 1998, Section 44 The election only elected an interim leader, with the full electoral college confirming the leader at a later date as well as electing a deputy leader.BBC NEWS In Depth Donald Dewar Two in fight to succeed Dewar https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/scotland/2000/donald_dewar/979513.stm 2023-03-21 news.bbc.co.uk References Category:2000s elections in Scotland Category:2000 in Scotland Category:2000 political party leadership elections Category:October 2000 in the United Kingdom