Think Tank Scottish Labour In Peril - Red's Flagging Under Leonard

Damning report lays into party leader over low profile

- Paul Hutcheon

A Damning report into Scottish Labour flagged up Richard Leonard’s low profile and praised the “highly effective” Nicola Sturgeon.

The presentation, put together by a pro-UK think tank linked to Gordon Brown, warned the party is in “peril” and claimed the “scarring could be permanent”.

In what is likely to be interpreted as a criticism of Leonard, the report claimed Scottish Labour politicians have a “limited audience” online.

As evidence, a bar chart showed that Leonard’s reach on social media comes nowhere near the levels enjoyed by senior SNP figures.

On Leonard’s watch as leader, Labour came fifth in the European elections and it lost six of its seven Westminster seats at the general election. Many party figures believe he has failed in the job and want him to stand down.