THE political fixer who helped mastermind Jeremy Corbyn’s two successful bids to become UK Labour leader has been appointed to a key position in Richard Leonard’s campaign to succeed Kezia Dugdale.
Simon Fletcher has been unveiled as the Central Scotland MSP’s campaign manager as he tries to defeat rival Anas Sarwar to become the Scottish Labour leader.
Fletcher led Corbyn’s campaign to become Labour leader in 2015 and 2016 and rose to become his director of campaigns and planning.
However, he quit in February amid claims he had become disillusioned by the party’s direction.
At the time, Corbyn said: “Simon has played a vital role in shaping the new politics and building Labour’s campaign to rebuild and transform Britain.
“I’ve know Simon for many years, we will continue to work together on the cause of social justice in Britain and I wish him well in the future.”
Leonard said: “I can confirm that Simon is joining my leadership campaign team. He brings a wealth of experience which will help give the campaign real organisational strength and direction. I am delighted he is joining us.”
In an interview earlier this week Leonard said Scottish Labour failed to capitalise on a so-called “Corbyn bounce” during the general election arguing that the UK leader’s growing support was not noticed and acted upon quickly enough in Scotland.
He claimed Scottish Labour, which won seven seats north of the Border, could have been even more successful if it had aligned itself more closely with Corbyn.
Dugdale, who had been critical of Corbyn and backed his rivals in the leadership contest, sent shockwaves through the party last week when she resigned after just two years in the role. She stood down with immediate effect as leader but will remain a Lothians’ MSP. She took over from Jim Murphy after the disastrous 2015 general election campaign in which the party was left with a single MP – Ian Murray, in Edinburgh South.
Leonard is a former GMB trade union organiser who was elected to the Scottish Parliament last year. Sarwar is the party’s Holyrood health spokesman and a former deputy party leader and MP.
The contest is important for the Scottish Labour as whoever wins will have a significant role in determining whether the party heads left or follows a more centrist position.
Leonard is the candidate favoured by left groupings such as the Campaign for Socialism which has close links with Momentum, the grassroots movement behind Corbyn.
Sarwar, who is presenting himself as the candidate who will unify the party, comes from the centre and has the support of a majority of the party’s MSPs, including economy spokeswoman Jackie Baillie and former leader Iain Gray.
The battle is also significant for the UK party as the winner will claim a seat on its ruling national executive council.
The key decision-making body is currently finely-balanced between New Labour figures and the left-wing, but a victory for Leonard will tip it in Corbyn’s favour.
Fletcher rose to prominence as chief of staff to Ken Livingstone when he was Mayor of London.
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