Oh yes she will

So, after a few days of dithering, Kezia Dugdale has announced she will stand for the post of leader of the Labour party in Scotland.  There's an interesting comparison with UK Labour there.  Following their general election defeat, Ed Miliband stood down as leader of the Labour party and deputy leader Harriet Harman will also be stepping down once a new leader has been elected.  Ms Dugdale, however, appears to have escaped any responsibility for Labour's catastrophe in Scotland.

Ms Dugdale says

This is a moment when Scottish Labour must and will change. It’s time for a new generation with a vision for the future of Scotland.

Well that's new and fresh...oh wait, no it isn't.  Every time Labour in Scotland have suffered a defeat from 2007 onwards we've heard the same old story, and we're still waiting for them to change.  Just as well we're not holding our breath.

 She goes on:

I do not underestimate the scale of the challenge Scottish Labour faces. But we’ve been the insurgent force before, pushing back against the political establishment and winning great victories and profound social change. We will be that force again. Our values are what we will carry forward with us – all the rest is baggage.

It's been a very long time since Labour has pushed back against the Establishment or indeed enacted profound social change.  At least 50 years I'd say.  A bigger problem with the statement is Ms Dugdale herself.  If asked, I doubt I could name one policy that Ms Dugdale espouses nor any grand political idea.  I may be doing her a great disservice here, and she hides her light under a bushel, but I can't recall any barnstorming speeches or fresh, original policy ideas by her.  Indeed, her whole approach appears to be 'SNP Bad!' - criticising anything that the SNP does, but not suggesting any alternatives or solutions.

Ms Dugdale currently has one rival for the leadership, one Ken Macintosh.  Mr Macintosh is also a bit of a nonentity as far as the Scottish electorate is concerned.  Again, I couldn't tell you what Mr Macintosh stands for in the way of policies, nor has he ever expressed any sort of alternative vision for Scotland that I know of.  Interestingly, both Ms Dugdale and Mr Macintosh are supporters of Jim Murphy.  Does anyone else detect the cold touch of Mr Murphy's minions about this?