Profile: He was dubbed �Lucky Jack�, the beneficiary of some canny judgments and political good fortune. But three-and-a-half months after the election, his luck appears to have finally run dry.
He was dubbed "Lucky Jack", the beneficiary of some canny judgments and political good fortune.
But three-and-a-half months after the election which finally wrested control of Scotland from the Labour Party, Jack McConnell's luck appears to have finally run dry.
Born in Irvine, Ayrshire, in 1960, Mr McConnell was raised on a sheep farm on the island of Arran, a place far removed from the West of Scotland Labour hierarchy through which he was eventually to emerge.
After gaining a BSc Dip Ed at Stirling University, he became a maths teacher, but entered local government in 1984 and went on to become general secretary of the Scottish Labour Party between 1992 and 1998.
The former first minister's lucky streak saw him selected for the safe Labour seat of Motherwell and Wishaw in 1998 with two votes to spare and his elevation to the top job in Scottish politics bore traces of chance and good fortune.
After Donald Dewar's premature death and the resignation of Henry McLeish over the "Officegate" row in 2001, the post passed to Mr McConnell - arguably a safer pair of hands than his predecessor, and with thicker skin.
His time in office has seen some notable achievements. The executive's stand against sectarianism was very much championed by Mr McConnell and he also oversaw the introduction of the smoking ban before England.
He can also claim credit for orchestrating arguably the most seismic political shift Scotland has seen since devolution. Though proportional representation was a LibDem condition of their coalition, it was Mr McConnell who brought his party along.
As a former teacher, Mr McConnell was keen to emphasise the executive's commitment to education and while abroad, he pushed for an aid commitment to poverty-ravished Malawi.
He married Bridget McConnell, now chief executive of Glasgow's newly enlarged Culture and Leisure service, before his nomination as a parliamentary candidate. They moved to Wishaw after he was elected. Both are former smokers and straddle either side of Scotland's religious divide.
Mr McConnell adopted his wife's son and daughter after they married but they have not had any more children. The marriage was exposed to the spotlight when, at a press conference designed to clear out skeletons in 2001, Mr McConnell admitted having had an affair.
He has proved more resilient than Mr McLeish but has had his share of gaffes. The most serious - which he publicly professed to regretting the most - was to send health minister Andy Kerr in his place to represent the executive at the D-Day anniversary in France so he could attend a golfing dinner. Despite a last-minute U-turn, the damage was done.
Lucky Jack also appeared less than fortunate when it emerged he and his wife had holidayed at the Majorcan villa of Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark but failed to declare it in his list of members' official interests.
And while his wearing of a black-striped kilt at a New York fashion event did not attract political flack, it did not do much for his image.
Though the party leader was keen to stress his - and Scottish Labour's - autonomy from the Westminster party machine, his reputation as London's lap-dog was hard to shake. And despite the blokey demeanour, party sources privately claimed he was overbearing and in a cabinet which lacked the best political talent.
The issue of New Labour's alleged dominance was crystallised in the run-up to the May 3 poll, when a policy of attacks on the SNP appeared dictated by London.
Whatever his personal qualities as leader, they were drowned out by a tide of scare tactics over independence which seemed only to focus on the nationalists. In the end, the lucky streak was not enough to carry him through.
Labour runners and riders
WENDY ALEXANDER
Could well be elected unopposed. Quit Jack McConnell's first cabinet and got married and gave birth to twins. Concerns remain about her ability to engage with the wider public and take on Alex Salmond in the chamber.
ANDY KERR
Seen as Alexander's most likely challenger. Caught the eye as transport committee convener. Promoted to finance minister and then as health minister where he was considered a success.
CATHY JAMIESON
Current deputy leader whose background is on the left of the party. That did not save her from criticism from her former comrades when she entered the cabinet, first as education minister, then as justice minister.
MARGARET CURRAN
Steered the anti-social behaviour act through parliament. Former Scottish politician of the year who failed to rule herself out of running for the leadership when interviewed at the weekend.
IAIN GRAY
The dark horse. Lost Edinburgh Pentlands seat in 2003. Worked as an adviser to Alastair Darling at Westminster. Returned to Holyrood in May, and became spokesman for enterprise, energy and tourism.
