GLASGOW city council leader Gordon Matheson still aims to become a MSP despite his defeat in the Scottish Labour deputy leadership contest.
The politician would have been guaranteed the first place in the party’s Glasgow list if he had been elected to the post – pretty much assuring him of a seat in Holyrood in 2016.
But after coming second to Alex Rowley, he now he faces a battle for a high list ranking against current Labour list MSPs for the city Hanzala Malik, Anne McTaggart and Drew Smith, as well as possibly other MSPs who fear they will lose their constituency seats.
“It wasn’t to be at this time. To have come a close second is a credible result and I thank everyone who voted for me,” he said.
“At a personal level, I made clear weeks ago that win or lose I am ready to move on to the next phase of my career.”
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