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The2000 Scottish Labour leadership election was an internal party election to choose a new leader of theLabour Party in theScottish Parliament, and was triggered following the death ofDonald Dewar, theinaugural leader andfirst minister of Scotland.Henry McLeish successfully defeatedJack McConnell, by 44 to 36 votes, and was subsequently appointed to office.[1][2]
In the1997 UK general election,Tony Blair's Labour Party won a landslide victory and he formed amajority government, with Dewar asSecretary of State for Scotland.[3] He was task forced with the responsibility ofre-establishing a devolved parliament in Scotland and created theScotland Act 1998. In thefirst election to the Scottish Parliament in 1999, the Labour Party in Scotland emerged as the largest party and later formed a coalition with theScottish Liberal Democrats. Dewar was subsequently appointed as the inauguralfirst minister of Scotland. He also served as the first leader of theLabour Party in Scotland. Dewar died in office, triggering the election.[4]
Jack McConnell, the finance minister, announced his candidacy for leader on 19 October.[5] In a statement to the media he outlined his key commitments including retaining social justice as the number one priority and purpose, leading without fear of favour in an open and democratic style, putting equality at the centre of all matters. building a partnership with the party to win elections, working with Labour councillors to improve local services, and keeping the parties of opposition "where they belong - in opposition".[6] McConnell received pressure by ChancellorGordon Brown not to stand, giving McLeish an unopposed contest, but he issued a "keep out" warning to Westminster.[7]
Henry McLeish, the enterprise and lifelong learning, served as an informal "deputy", working with Dewar on the Scotland Act, announced his candidacy less than 24 hours after Dewar's funeral.[8] McLeish stated he was confident he could lead the government to "electoral success" and he promised to carry Dewar's vision forward, something he described as the "unfinished business".[9] He was seen as the most experienced candidate, having served in both the UK and Scottish Cabinets. However, McLeish lacked the "common touch" and support of backbench MSPs.[10]
| Candidate | Political office | Date Declared | Campaign progression | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Jack McConnell | Minister for Finance(1999–2000) General Secretary of the Labour Party in Scotland(1992–1998)MSP forMotherwell and Wishaw(1999–2011) | 19 October 2000 | Defeated | [5] |
 Henry McLeish | Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning(1999–2000) Minister of State for Scotland(1997–1999)MSP forCentral Fife(1999–2003) MP forCentral Fife(1987–2001) | 19 October 2000 | Elected | [8] |
The party's rule is that leaders are elected by anelectoral college, consisting of votes bymembers of the UK Parliament andScottish Parliament, party members andtrade union members.[11] However, in this election only the 27 voting members of theexecutive committee of the Scottish Labour Party and the 54 Scottish parliamentary Labour group voted in the election. This was because theScotland Act 1998 constitutes a first minister must be appointed within 28 days resulting in a tight timescale for a leadership race.[12][13]
The election only elected an interim leader, with the full electoral college confirming the leader at a later date as well as electing a deputy leader.[14]