# Scottish Labour leadership race > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/scottish-labour-leadership-race > Updated: 2026-08-12T20:18:42.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 6. Following the party's worst-ever result in the May 2026 Holyrood election, Scottish Labour opened nominations for a new leader on 31 July. To appear on the ballot, candidates must secure the backing of at least three MSPs and MPs, along with three affiliated organizations, including two trade unions. Initially, Michael Marra was the only candidate to clear the parliamentary endorsement threshold. While Monica Lennon, Joe Fagan, and Katy Clark entered the race, Lennon faced difficulty gathering the required signatures. Lennon criticized the contest as being dominated by ‘misogyny and male entitlement,’ warning that the process felt like a ‘private members’ club’ that could result in an all-male ballot. She noted that her bid stalled due to a lack of support from fellow left-wing MSPs and internal disagreements regarding trans rights. By 12 August, candidates including Lennon, Fagan, and Marra participated in a hustings event in Glasgow to present their visions for party renewal. Lennon described the party's situation as its ‘worst ever crisis,’ urging a departure from ‘old ways’ to avoid ‘electoral oblivion.’ Fagan emphasized party unity, while Marra criticized ‘negative cowardly briefings.’ The event was briefly interrupted by shouts from pro-Palestine protesters. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-12: Scottish Labour leadership candidates call for unity in Glasgow Scottish Labour leadership contenders Monica Lennon, Joe Fagan, and Michael Marra have called for unity and reform to rebuild the party following a major electoral defeat in Holyrood. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/scottish-labour-leadership-candidates-call-for-unity-in-glasgow ### 2026-08-09: Scottish Labour leadership race seeks to find party's identity Monica Lennon has called for a radical, grassroots overhaul of Scottish Labour to address the party's identity crisis and reclaim its socialist roots during the ongoing leadership race. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/scottish-labour-leadership-race-seeks-to-find-partys-identity ### 2026-08-06: Scottish Labour leadership race heats up with reform pledges Joe Fagan and Michael Marra vie for Scottish Labour leadership, each pledging reforms to restore voter trust after Anas Sarwar’s resignation and a historic election loss. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/scottish-labour-leadership-race-heats-up-with-reform-pledges ### 2026-08-02: Scottish Labour leadership race heats up amid misogyny accusations Michael Marra and Joe Fagan have secured ballot support in the Scottish Labour leadership race, while Monica Lennon alleges misogyny and male entitlement as she struggles to gain backing. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/scottish-labour-leadership-race-heats-up-amid-misogyny-accusations ### 2026-07-31: Scottish Labour leadership race narrows as candidates chase endorsements Scottish Labour’s leadership contest sees three candidates, but only Michael Marra has met MP/MSP endorsement thresholds; Monica Lennon may miss the ballot, leaving a likely Marra‑Fagan face‑off. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/scottish-labour-leadership-race-narrows-as-candidates-chase-endorsements ### 2026-07-26: Scottish Labour leadership contest intensifies after historic Holyrood loss Labour’s historic defeat in the May Holyrood vote fuels a leadership battle, with Michael Marra favored but Monica Lennon emerging as a credible challenger and pledging to donate her resettlement payment to ‑ a 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/scottish-labour-leadership-contest-intensifies-after-historic-holyrood-loss --- Cite as: Scottish Labour leadership race. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/scottish-labour-leadership-race