# Scottish Labour leadership and policy shifts

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/scottish-labour-leadership-and-policy-shifts
> Updated: 2026-09-27T05:00:00.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2.

Michael Marra has been elected as the new leader of the Scottish Labour party, succeeding Anas Sarwar. Marra secured nearly two-thirds of the vote in a contest against Joe Fagan following a period of electoral decline for the party.

In his early leadership tenure, Marra has focused on economic and structural reforms. His platform includes support for North Sea energy development, specifically drilling in the Rosebank oilfield and Jackdaw gasfield to support jobs. 

Additionally, Marra has advocated for the decentralisation of powers from the Scottish Parliament to local regions. He argues that centralisation in Holyrood has hindered economic growth and has called for new devolution deals to provide control and funding to local councils, colleges, and industries to address Scotland’s skills shortage crisis.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: Michael Marra calls for decentralisation of Holyrood powers

Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra is calling for the decentralisation of Holyrood's powers to address economic stagnation and a critical skills shortage in Scotland's regions.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michael-marra-calls-for-decentralisation-of-holyrood-powers

### 2026-09-19: Michael Marra elected leader of Scottish Labour

Michael Marra has been elected leader of the Scottish Labour party, succeeding Anas Sarwar following the party's worst-ever Holyrood election result.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/michael-marra-elected-leader-of-scottish-labour

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Cite as: Scottish Labour leadership and policy shifts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/scottish-labour-leadership-and-policy-shifts