Monica Lennon
Scottish Labour MSP WHO has indicated she will stand for the party leadership.
Lennon, a Scottish Labour MSP, declared her candidacy for the party leadership on 2 August 2026 and, the same day, accused the contest of misogyny while reported to be struggling for nominations before the 17 August Deadline.
Last refreshed: 12 August 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Can Monica Lennon win the Scottish Labour leadership?
Timeline for Monica Lennon
Fell short of the parliamentary nomination threshold and missed the ballot
UK Local Elections 2026: Lennon is off the Scottish Labour ballotIndicated she will run for the leadership
UK Local Elections 2026: Scottish Labour opens a contest Sarwar left earlyDeclared as a candidate for the Scottish Labour leadership
UK Local Elections 2026: Three run for Scottish Labour leaderAccused the leadership contest process of misogyny and said she was struggling to secure nominations
UK Local Elections 2026: Lennon accuses her party of misogynyBackground
Monica Lennon is a Scottish Labour MSP WHO declared her candidacy for the party leadership on 2 August 2026, after Anas Sarwar's resignation on 22 July left the post vacant.
She is the only woman among the three declared candidates, alongside Michael Marra and Joe Fagan. Nominations opened on 3 August and close at 10:00 on 17 August 2026; a place on the ballot depends on winning the backing of elected colleagues and affiliated organisations, support she said on 2 August she was struggling to gather, before a members' vote due to run from 28 August to a result on 19 September.
Her accusation that the contest 'reeks of misogyny and male entitlement' put the fairness of that nomination threshold at the centre of the race, whatever the outcome of her own bid.
Lennon fights nominations amid misogyny claim
Lennon declared her candidacy for the Scottish Labour leadership on 2 August 2026, one of three MSPs standing after Anas Sarwar's resignation.
The same day she said the contest 'reeks of misogyny and male entitlement' and called the party a 'private members' club', a claim made as, by 12 August, she had not won over the fellow elected members and affiliated organisations whose backing puts a name on the ballot. Nominations close at 10:00 on 17 August 2026, and whether she gathers that backing in time is not yet known.
Who is standing for the Scottish Labour leadership?
Is Monica Lennon standing for Scottish Labour leader?
Who else is running against Monica Lennon for Scottish Labour leader?
When will the Scottish Labour leadership result be announced?
What party does Monica Lennon represent?
