Jeremy Corbyn critic Kezia Dugdale QUITS as leader of Scottish Labour party amid claims she was ‘hounded out’
The leader has resigned 'with immediate effect' saying it is time to 'pass the baton' on to someone else
JEREMY Corbyn critic Kezia Dugdale has sensationally quit as Scottish Labour leader amid claims she was "hounded out".
The leader resigned "with immediate effect" saying it is time to "pass the baton" onto someone else.
She revealed her shock exit tonight in an interview with 's political editor Brian Taylor.
It comes after she faced heavy criticism for attacking Corbyn - saying he speaks "only to the converted" - and backing leadership challenger Owen Smith in last summer's campaign.
She was also blasted by a party faction last month for 'holding back' Labour's surge.
And in June she slammed Nicola Sturgeon's 'failing' government - calling for the First Minister to reshuffle.
Sources hinted she may have been "hounded out" by Corbyn's staunch fans, but Dugdale insisted she was not being pushed.
She said she simply wanted to give the "space and time" to prepare for the next Scottish Parliament election in 2021.
And she insisted to have left the party in a better state than she found it, saying: "I have thought long and hard about this. I care deeply about the Labour Party - I love it and I have devoted my adult life to serving it in a number of different capacities.
"And I have just come to the conclusion that the best thing for it, the Labour Party, this precious, precious thing that has done so much good in our country, and indeed for me, is to pass that baton on."
In her resignation letter she also revealed that her decision had been influenced by the loss of a "dear friend" who taught her "how precious and short life was and never to waste a moment".
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In to Linda Stewart of the Scottish Executive Committee, the governing body of the Scottish Labour Party, she said: "Too often our leaders leave in a crisis, with scores to settle.
"I love this party too much for that to be my way.
"There will be no press conference and no off the record briefing in my name.
"I choose to stand down because I believe it is best for me and best for Scottish Labour, at a time when we can be positive and optimistic about our future."
She added: "A marker of success for me was to leave as leader with the party in better shape than I found it and I have done that.
"Emerging from the challenging times following the 2014 referendum, and the 2015 UK election, we now have a solid platform on which to build towards success, and government.
"I have given the task of achieving this all that I have.
"But with nearly four years now until the next Scottish Parliament elections, I am convinced that the party needs a new leader with fresh energy, drive and a new mandate to take the party into that contest."
A marker of success for me was to leave as leader with the party in better shape than I found it and I have done that
Former Scots Labour Leader Kezia Dugdale
Kezia Dugdale's resignation letter in full
As chair of the party, I am writing to you today to resign as leader of the Scottish Labour party.
It has been an honour and a privilege to have served this party in a leadership position for the last two and a half years, covering four national elections and one referendum.
I have worked with many great people, not least the staff in our HQ led by Brian Roy and those in the Scottish Parliament, whose boundless energy, expertise and good humour has guided our party through some dark hours and difficult times.
I’d like to thank my shadow cabinet for their efforts, and in particular Iain Gray for his unflinching love and support and James Kelly for the thankless but crucial job he does so well as our business manager.
Earlier this year I lost a dear friend who taught me a lot about how to live. His terminal illness forced him to identify what he really wanted from life, how to make the most of it and how to make a difference. He taught me how precious and short life was and never to waste a moment.
Being leader has always been a difficult but fulfilling challenge. One that until now I have enjoyed, driven by a clear guiding purpose and goals, many of which I have achieved.
I am proud of the fact that I’ve demonstrated how the parliament’s powers can be used to stop austerity with progressive taxes and the creation of new benefits. Proud to have advanced the call for federalism across the UK. Proud to have delivered real autonomy for the Scottish Labour party and a guaranteed voice for Scotland and Wales on the NEC.
Educational inequality is the number one issue in Scottish politics after the constitution because Scottish Labour under my leadership put it there.
I am proud to have delivered 50/50 slates of amazing and diverse candidates in both the Scottish and U.K. Elections and equally proud to have invested in the next generation of labour activists and parliamentarians with leadership programmes. These have already furnished us with two of our magnificent seven MPs. With that re-established Scottish Labour group at Westminster, and a talented and effective group in Holyrood, Scottish Labour has a bright future.
A marker of success for me was to leave as leader with the party in better shape than I found it and I have done that.
Emerging from the challenging times following the 2014 referendum, and the 2015 UK election, we now have a solid platform on which to build towards success, and government.
I have given the task of achieving this all that I have. But with nearly four years now until the next Scottish parliament elections, I am convinced that the party needs a new leader with fresh energy, drive and a new mandate to take the party into that contest.
I will continue as a Labour MSP for the Lothians and am already looking forward to spending more time with constituents and on constituency issues.
Too often our leaders leave in a crisis, with scores to settle. I love this party too much for that to be my way. There will be no press conference and no off the record briefing in my name. I choose to stand down because I believe it is best for me and best for Scottish Labour, at a time when we can be positive and optimistic about our future.
I remain in awe of all those party activists who devote their time to this movement without pay or reward. I thank them for their belief in me.
Yours in solidarity,
Kez Dugdale
Responding to the shock resignation, Corbyn praised her for her "tireless service".
He said: "I'd like to thank Kezia Dugdale for her work as Scottish Labour leader and the important role she has played in rebuilding the party in Scotland.
"Kezia became Scottish leader at one of the most difficult times in the history of the Scottish Labour Party, and the party's revival is now fully under way, with six new MPs and many more to come.
"I want to thank Kez for her tireless service to our party and movement, and look forward to campaigning with her in future for a country that works for the many not the few."
And her political opponents paid tribute to her short career as party leader.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "We may be opponents, but @kezdugdale led her party with guts and determination and I admired her for that. I wish her well for the future."
Scots Tory leader Ruth Davidson added: "Leadership can be tough and @kezdugdale deserves the thanks of her party for putting in the hard yards. I wish her well."
Scots Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: "Kezia Dugdale has been a good thing for Labour.
"Her open, friendly, and upbeat style was appealing. I enjoyed working with her on common causes and hope that will continue. I wish her well for the future."
was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2011 and became Deputy Leader of Scottish Labour in 2014, replacing Anas Sarwar.
She resigned the following year to stand in the party leadership election, which she won on August 15 2017.
She recently revealed that she is in a relationship with SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth.
Dugdale will continue to remain Labour MSP for the Lothians with her deputy Alex Rowley serving as acting leader.