Scottish Labour leadership race seeks to find party's identity

Monica Lennon, a contender in the Scottish Labour leadership race, has described the contest as an effort to find the "party's missing soul." Lennon is currently seeking enough support to secure a place on the ballot alongside fellow MSPs Michael Marra and Joe Fagan.

In a statement, Lennon argued that the party is experiencing an identity crisis, having lost sight of its socialist roots and struggling to connect with Scotland's future. She noted that the party has lost six consecutive Holyrood elections and has remained in opposition since the SNP sidelined them in 2007.

Lennon emphasized the need for a "radical overhaul from the ground up," advocating for a focus on grassroots activists, trade unions, and working-class communities rather than rebuilding from the top down. She stated that the party must avoid acting like a "private club for parliamentarians alone."