What's happened
The leadership contest to replace Anas Sarwar has become a test of whether Scottish Labour can re-engage voters after May’s poor Holyrood results. Joe Fagan and Michael Marra argue for a more assertive, policy-driven approach and for Labour to work with the SNP where it helps working people, while holding the government to account.
What's behind the headline?
Context and dynamics
- The Scotsman reports a leadership race between Joe Fagan and Michael Marra after Anas Sarwar’s resignation.
- Fagan presents himself as a reformer with a fresh mandate, promising to be Jackie Baillie’s boss if elected and to push a constructive, self-defined Labour agenda in Holyrood.
- Marra emphasizes open-door politics, regional engagement, and willingness to work with the SNP on shared priorities, while stressing the need for a credible plan to address deficits and public services.
What this could mean for voters
- A Labour leadership that shifts focus from constitutional debates to policy delivery for working people.
- Potential changes in how Labour interacts with the SNP government, including budget scrutiny and legislative influence.
- The outcome could influence Labour’s relevance in national politics ahead of local elections.
Forecast
- The vote is imminent; whichever candidate wins will shape Labour’s strategic direction and capacity to portray itself as a credible alternative to the SNP.
How we got here
Fagan and Marra are contesting the leadership following Sarwar’s resignation. Labour’s Holyrood presence has declined since devolution, with 17 MSPs after May’s vote. The race centers on whether the party can redefine itself and present a clear alternative to the SNP, as Labour seeks to rebuild its identity in Scottish politics.
Our analysis
The Scotsman coverage from Sep 14 and Sep 18, 2026 outlines the leadership contest, candidates’ positions, and the party’s need to redefine its approach in Holyrood.
Go deeper
- What would a Labour shift mean for Holyrood budgets?
- How might Labour’s leadership affect cooperation with the SNP?
- Who is most likely to redefine Labour’s identity in Scotland?
More on these topics
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Anas Sarwar - Politician
Anas Sarwar is a Scottish politician who served as Deputy Leader of the Scottish Labour Party from 2011 to 2014. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Glasgow region since 2016, having previously been Member of Parliament for Glasgow Cen
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Michael Marra - Scottish singer-songwriter
Michael Marra was a Scottish singer-songwriter and musician from Dundee, Scotland. Known as the Bard of Dundee, Marra was a solo performer who toured the UK and performed in arts centres, theatres, folk clubs and village halls.
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Scottish National Party - Political party
The Scottish National Party is a Scottish nationalist and social-democratic political party in Scotland. The SNP supports and campaigns for Scottish independence within the European Union, with a platform based on civic nationalism.
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Scottish Parliament - Governmental body
The Scottish Parliament is the devolved, unicameral legislature of Scotland. Located in the Holyrood area of the capital city, Edinburgh, it is frequently referred to by the metonym Holyrood.
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Scottish Labour Party - Political party
Scottish Labour is a social democratic political party in Scotland, currently led by Richard Leonard. It is an autonomous section of the national Labour Party. Labour currently hold 23 of 129 seats in the Scottish Parliament.
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Scotland - Country of the United Kingdom
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a 96 mile border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and w