 yesterday announced he intends to stand down as Scottish Labour Party leader next month, after narrowly surviving a vote. Murphy said he will present a list of suggested reforms to be made to the party, including changing the system for electing party leader to , upon offering his resignation at the next meeting of its national executive in June. Murphy also said he will not stand for the and will "do something else". Jim Murphy in 2009. At a meeting in the Scottish city  yesterday, the party's national executive held a vote of no confidence in Murphy; he won by 17 votes to 14. "Today I received more support in the executive vote than I did from members of the executive when I stood for election five months ago", Murphy said. Murphy became Scottish Labour leader in December 2014, following 's resignation from the role. Until Scottish Labour holds a fresh leadership election — its sixth in a span of eight years — , currently the party's deputy leader, is to assume the role of acting leader for the time being. Murphy cited concerns about Scottish Labour being divided as a contributory factor to his decision. "Scotland needs a strong Labour party; Scotland needs a united Labour party", he said yesterday. "We have been the greatest force for change in our nation’s remarkable history. The Scottish Labour party will rise again. It will be under someone else’s leadership and I am confident about my party’s future." There was controversy regarding whether Murphy should retain his role following this performance. Labour Party supporters were reportedly asked to sign a letter supporting Murphy's leadership, to be presented at the executive meeting yesterday. Calls for Murphy to resign came from multiple quarters, including s and , as well as Labour s and . Earlier in the week, Unite general secretary said "the anti-Scottish card that was played by and the Conservatives" had caused them to win a majority in the general election, before going on to say: "I lay the blame for that very squarely at the feet of Scottish Labour. Not only have they lost Scotland but I think they've been responsible for making certain that the Conservatives were back in power in ." However, trade unions and were amongst those supporting Murphy's continued leadership. Reacting to the news, SNP leader and Scottish  tweeted: "I wish Jim Murphy all the very best for the future. Leadership is not easy and he deserves credit for standing up for what he believes in." Scottish Liberal Democrats leader said: "Credit to [Murphy]. He stepped up and energetically campaigned for his beliefs. I wish him the best for the future." , the acting leader of the UK Labour Party, said Murphy had been a "hugely important figure" for them, adding: "Jim has given so much to the Labour Party over the last twenty years. He, I know reluctantly, took the responsibility for leading Scottish Labour at the most difficult election they have ever faced. He did so with incredible energy, purpose and dignity [...] He leaves with the best wishes and thanks of our movement."
Jim Murphy yesterday announced he intends to stand down as Scottish Labour Party leader next month, after narrowly surviving a vote. Murphy said he will present a list of suggested reforms to be made to the party, including changing the system for electing party leader to , upon offering his resignation at the next meeting of its national executive in June. Murphy also said he will not stand for the and will "do something else". Jim Murphy in 2009. At a meeting in the Scottish city Glasgow yesterday, the party's national executive held a vote of no confidence in Murphy; he won by 17 votes to 14. "Today I received more support in the executive vote than I did from members of the executive when I stood for election five months ago", Murphy said. Murphy became Scottish Labour leader in December 2014, following 's resignation from the role. Until Scottish Labour holds a fresh leadership election — its sixth in a span of eight years — , currently the party's deputy leader, is to assume the role of acting leader for the time being. Murphy cited concerns about Scottish Labour being divided as a contributory factor to his decision. "Scotland needs a strong Labour party; Scotland needs a united Labour party", he said yesterday. "We have been the greatest force for change in our nation’s remarkable history. The Scottish Labour party will rise again. It will be under someone else’s leadership and I am confident about my party’s future." There was controversy regarding whether Murphy should retain his role following this performance. Labour Party supporters were reportedly asked to sign a letter supporting Murphy's leadership, to be presented at the executive meeting yesterday. Calls for Murphy to resign came from multiple quarters, including trade unions and , as well as Labour s and . Earlier in the week, Unite general secretary said "the anti-Scottish card that was played by and the Conservatives" had caused them to win a majority in the general election, before going on to say: "I lay the blame for that very squarely at the feet of Scottish Labour. Not only have they lost Scotland but I think they've been responsible for making certain that the Conservatives were back in power in ." However, trade unions and were amongst those supporting Murphy's continued leadership. Reacting to the news, SNP leader and Scottish Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "I wish Jim Murphy all the very best for the future. Leadership is not easy and he deserves credit for standing up for what he believes in." Scottish Liberal Democrats leader said: "Credit to [Murphy]. He stepped up and energetically campaigned for his beliefs. I wish him the best for the future." , the acting leader of the UK Labour Party, said Murphy had been a "hugely important figure" for them, adding: "Jim has given so much to the Labour Party over the last twenty years. He, I know reluctantly, took the responsibility for leading Scottish Labour at the most difficult election they have ever faced. He did so with incredible energy, purpose and dignity [...] He leaves with the best wishes and thanks of our movement."
A
Jim Murphy
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Glasgow
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s
trade unions
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Nicola Sturgeon