The Aporia
The Aporia
Press Association Reporters. (2026, September 19). Michael Marra elected Scottish Labour leader. Evening Standard. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/anas-sarwar-north-east-scotland-scottish-parliament-holyrood-scottish-b1297584.html
Press Association Reporters. “Michael Marra elected Scottish Labour leader.” Evening Standard, 19 Sept. 2026, https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/anas-sarwar-north-east-scotland-scottish-parliament-holyrood-scottish-b1297584.html.
Press Association Reporters. “Michael Marra elected Scottish Labour leader.” Evening Standard, September 19, 2026. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/anas-sarwar-north-east-scotland-scottish-parliament-holyrood-scottish-b1297584.html.
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On September 23, Michael Marra was elected as the new leader of the Scottish Labour Party, succeeding Lord Sarwar. The election followed Labour's worst performance since devolution in May's Scottish Parliament elections where they won only 17 MSPs, their lowest number ever. With a turnout of nearly half its members, Marra received 4266 votes compared to Joe Fagan's 2485. As the party’s 11th leader during the devolution era, Marra faces the challenge of reversing Labour's declining fortunes in Scotland, having lost seats at every Holyrood election since 1999. He vowed to reconnect with voters and emphasized the need for Scottish Labour to be a "national party once again," focusing on values such as equality, solidarity, and good public services.
