Four of the candidates tipped to contest the Scottish Labour leadership race have ruled themselves out of the running.
Dundee-based MSP Jenny Marra, interim leader Anas Sarwar, shadow education secretary Kezia Dugdale, and MSP Jackie Baillie, who will be at the helm for First Minister’s Questions this week, all confirmed they would not stand to replace Johann Lamont.
MP Jim Murphy is the favourite for the post although shadow education secretary Neil Findlay, who alongside constitution spokesman Drew Smith remains a potential candidate, has called on Gordon Brown to stand.
However, a source close to the former prime minister appeared to rule out such a move, saying: “For the past four years, on any occasion that he has been asked, Mr Brown has made it clear that he is not returning to frontline politics. That position has not changed.”
UK party leader Ed Miliband is said to have tried to persuade the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP to go for the position.
Ms Marra told The Courier Labour members should go into the leadership contest “open minded” about how policy could be shaped.
She said: “There were a lot of conversations about how Scotland could be better during the referendum campaign and we should reflect on how our party takes these values forward.
“Our party’s values are rooted in work and equality, which is especially important in Dundee as it is across the whole of Scotland, and I would like to see a person in post who could take these forward.”
Asked who her preferred leader would be, the North East Scotland list MSP said she would wait until candidates had been announced before taking any decision.
Ms Marra pointed out “there’s no vacancy” when asked if she would consider standing for deputy leader. The position is currently held by Glasgow Central MP Mr Sarwar.
Labour MSPs met in Glasgow on Monday, while MPs gathered in Westminster, to discuss Ms Lamont’s departure after nearly three years as leader.
One London source said the anticipation of Mr Murphy’s bid was “like waiting for white smoke”.
However, it is understood trade unions are seeking to identify a candidate, preferably an MSP, to challenge any bid by the MP. This is why Mr Findlay is seen as a contender.
Those who want the leadership post can declare their candidacy from now, with nominations officially opening on Friday and closing on November 4. The new leader will be announced on December 13.
Voting will use the existing electoral college system which gives equal weighting to three distinct groups elected politicians, unions and party members as opposed to one member one vote.
Mr Sarwar said he would be focused on making the party “unified in purpose, stronger in will” while a decision is made on who should lead in Scotland.