Michael Marra and Monica Lennon emerge as Scottish Labour frontrunners

Michael Marra and Monica Lennon are the first two candidates to confirm their candidacies for the leadership of Scottish Labour.

The party must elect a successor to Anas Sarwar after he accepted the role of UK trade minister in Andy Burnham’s government, a post that will see him enter the House of Lords and leave the Scottish Parliament.

Marra, the party’s finance spokesperson, and Lennon, who is expected to re-enter Holyrood as a Glasgow MSP in Sarwar’s stead, have emerged as the initial frontrunners.

However, there is speculation that former peer Katy Clark – a deputy presiding officer – may also run.

Daniel Johnson, who had been seen as a potential candidate, has ruled himself out, endorsing Marra hours before his colleague made his official declaration.

Nominations formally open on Monday 3 August, with the ballot scheduled to open on 28 August.

Votes close on 17 September, with the result to be declared two days later.

Members and affiliated supporters with less than six months’ connection to the party will not be eligible to vote.

Both Marra and Lennon have been critical of the party’s recent performance, with Lennon saying it faces “oblivion” without “radical and fast” change, and Marra stating that it has “gone backwards six Holyrood elections in a row”.

Marra said: “The promise of our Scottish Labour Party is that we build a better, more equal nation, and we leave it as a legacy for our children.

“That is a moral purpose. But too often it can become clouded in the day to day of our politics.

“In this moment of renewal for our party, we must restate that purpose. But we also have to listen. We have to learn. And we have to change.”

Lennon stated: “Anyone looking objectively at our party today would conclude a harsh reality. We are in the last chance saloon.”

The party won 17 seats in May in its lowest ever tally.

Acting leader Jackie Baillie said: “The agreed process guarantees a fair and open contest, while ensuring we are able to progress at pace and elect a new leader without delay.”