SCOTLAND’S only Labour MP has been pushed to run for the party’s deputy leader position in a bid to “widen the debate”.
A senior party source said Ian Murray had been approached by MPs hoping he would mount a possible run, but nothing has been decided yet.
It is understood the Edinburgh South MP will take the festive period to decide if he will throw his hat into the ring in 2020.
The source said: “There’s a feeling among some MPs that the debate should be widened to include Scotland and Wales, as opposed to just the north of England.”
It is expected that Jeremy Corbyn will step down once a new leader has been decided in March.
Murray, a frequent and vocal critic of Corbyn, battled deselection before the election after a bid by trade union Unite.
The MP fell out of favour with party leadership in 2016 after resigning as shadow Scottish secretary, questioning the ability of Corbyn to win a General Election.
But despite now being the only Labour MP in Scotland, Murray was passed over for his role in favour of Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd.
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