The Truth Behind Traingate

"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. "

Kezia Dugdale.
She could be leaving to spend more time with her family. She has a new partner, an SNP MSP. She is still a Labour MSP, isn't she? I don't think she has given up politics, jusy being leader of Scottish Labour.

I admire her for doing this, and the way she has done it. No sniping whatsoever, and giving her successor the time to sort things out in time for the next SMP elections.

I fully agree Elegran,

Or the SNP!

Perhaps. It depends whether Scotland prefers Corbyn's Labour or pre-Corbyn Labour.

I agree Elegran she has done the right thing and perhaps there will support for Labour in Scotland as there used to be.

"There will be no press conference and no off the record briefing in my name." Not even to say that she really does think that Corbyn is the best thing yet for the Labour party, and she wishes him well?

"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."

I read into that a woman of integrity who is saying nothing against the elected leader, but believes that his leadership has changed the party direction so that she cannot continue in the future to do what she has done up until now. She prefers to leave graciously and on good terms amd allow others to take her place.

Good for her.

My ignore button is firmly on
That's exactly what the people of Edinburgh said last weekend about Corbyn!

Trisher, puzzles me why you have any wish to exchange views with anyone you have classed a Hun .

What a surprise!

Pass

I'm not a Corbynite Annie but I still await your answer about the Labour Party resurgence in Scotland.
Arguably someone who has been associated with the worst Labour result ever in Scotland should go anyway. Maybe she is just big enough to realise she may be tainted by association and doesn't want people to use her as an excuse.

To be fair she couldn't use the usual - I want to spend more time with my family

"But speaking to the BBC, Ms Dugdale denied she had been forced out by her internal opponents.

"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," she said.

"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." "

My ignore button is firmly on.

"Too often our leaders leave in a crisis, with scores to settle," she said. "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 it is best for me and best for Scottish Labour, at a time when we can be positive and optimistic about our future." "
Kezia Dugdale.

I was wrong to expect anything but verbal attacks from a corbynite, best we do not exchange posts

"Corbyn is destroying the Labour Party and strengthening his own momentum party"
Isn't that griping? No you're right Annie you probably think that counts as reasonable comment. I apologise, I was wrong to expect anything apart from the same old prejudices from you.

where have I griped?

There you go again Trisha, bullying

So there is a resurgence of Labour in Scotland Annie and all you can do is gripe again. Do you really want Labour to gain votes or will you be happier if they fail just so you can say "I told you so"?

Niggly, the leader of Welsh Labour is also our first minister, Corbyn is desperate to get him out , no way do they get on.

I am being proved right, Corbyn is destroying the Labour Party and strengthening his own momentum party

Wales will be next annie!!

One line omitted - I have been happy in the party until now !

The corbynites wanted her out and she is out.

"Kezia Dugdale has denied being ousted by supporters of Jeremy Corbyn after announcing her surprise resignation as leader of Scottish Labour with immediate effect.

Ms Dugdale, who has previously criticised Mr Corbyn and backed Owen Smith during the most recent UK leadership contest, said it was time to "pass on the baton" to someone else.

Although she insisted she was leaving the party in a much better state than she had found it when she took over two years ago, she said a new leader was needed with "fresh energy, drive and a new mandate".

The 36-year-old said she wanted to give her successor the "space and time" to prepare for the next Scottish Parliament election in 2021. However, it means Scottish Labour is looking for its fifth leader in only six years."

So Labour is beginning to see a resurgence in Scotland (which is the only thing I can see as relevant to KD resigning) and Corbyn is more popular than ever up there and you talk of an Obit Primrose. I can see you are still as in touch as ever.

Nothing to do with anything but I gather KD is stepping out with a member of the SNP although that could be completely wrong as I am very bad a gossip - I can never remember what I have been told [rolls eyes]

I think we need a 'Labour watch' thread. If nothing else, to act like an Obituary column!