Since the founding of the devolved Scottish Parliament in May 1999, there have been many First Ministers, but no party has produced more leaders of the house than the Labour Party.
At the parliament’s creation, Donald Dewar was at the helm, a politician well respected by both his peers and constituents. Now in the twilight of 2015, only a few months after Labour’s crushing defeat at the general election and Jeremy Corbyn’s ascent, Kezia Dugdale is at the heart of the Labour movement in Scotland. But who is she?
Kezia Dugdale has been leader of the Scottish Labour party since 15 August this year. She completed her law degree at the University of Aberdeen and her masters at the University of Edinburgh. One might say that she is a champion of female equality and a stone in SNP’s shoe.
Earlier this year the Labour party suffered an unforeseen defeat at the hands of both the Conservatives in Westminster and the SNP in Scotland. When it looked like all hope was lost for this struggling party, a dark horse emerged from the backbenches in the UK leadership battle: Jeremy Corbyn.
However, with such a different direction for the Labour party, center left members of the party may struggle to act within the realm of socialism and follow their new leader.
So can Kezia comply with Corbynomics?
Last Sunday on the Andrew Mar Show, when asked if, in the event of a another Scottish referendum, would Jeremy Corbyn link hands with the Tories as previously shown in the Better Together campaign and stand in partnership for a united Briton? He answered No, he would be “standing alongside Kezia Dugdale and the Scottish Labour Party.”
After Corbyn’s election, Dugdale pressed some rather aggressive views; stating in The Scotsman, “I’m the Boss in Scotland” and warning the Labour leader that she is in charge north of the border.
However, despite being critical of Corbyn prior to his landslide, perhaps a sign that on the political spectrum the two leaders don’t exactly see eye to eye, Dugdale was also among the first to congratulate Corbyn on his vast mandate, although not before reminding us all that she too had recently gained huge success in the polls:
“I also won a significant mandate just a few weeks ago to lead the party here in Scotland.”
With the arrival of the Labour Leader in Scotland in a few short days, it will be interesting to see if these two new political leaders can co-operate and negotiate. It will remain to be seen if Kezia really can dig deep, comply with Corbynomics, and become a viable alternative to the all-conquering SNP.
Timeline: A brief History of Scottish Labour
Number of Labour seats within the Scottish Parliament
1999: 56
2003: 50
2007: 46
2011: 37
And Counting?
Original colour featured photo via the Scottish Parliament.
