New Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra brings fresh energy to 'hardest job in British politics'
Major challenges ahead for party after poor election performance
Anas Sarwar has called it the hardest job in British politics.
And now that he has stepped down from leading Scottish Labour after five years in the post, that role falls to Michael Marra.
The 47-year-old Dundonian, who has been an MSP for the past five years and served as the party's spokesman on education and on finance, was elected new Scottish Labour leader with 63 per cent of the votes in a straight contest with new MSP Joe Fagan, former leader of South Lanarkshire Council.
After the result was announced at Edinburgh's Dynamic Earth on Saturday morning, Mr Marra acknowledged there was a big challenge ahead and spoke about the need to widen the party's appeal, recover Labour's purpose and reconnect with the public.
At the Holyrood elections in May, Labour won just 17 out of the Scottish Parliament's 129 seats, the fewest MSPs it has had since the advent of devolution.
A key factor in the poor performance was almost certainly the unpopularity of the then UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. But it also continued a trend where Labour has won fewer seats at every Holyrood election since the parliament was created in 1999.
Mr Marra wants to build on the kind of success which Andy Burnham has had in Manchester. And he is right that Labour should be "led by people's priorities”, seek alliances and bring communities together and “build practical answers”.
He calls it “politics with the doors open” and sees it as the way to achieving a “fairer country”.
But Scottish Labour has two big problems which are hard to overcome. One is that its popularity seems inextricably linked to that of the UK Labour Party - and while that can also bring benefits, it is something which is beyond its own control.
The second is that people's views for or against independence remain the biggest factor in how they are likely to vote. So, the SNP - despite voters' disappointment with its record - can rely on a permanent. strong core of support.
So Mr Marra’s new job is far from easy, but he brings fresh energy and determination to the task.