Tom Gordon
GLASGOW Labour leader Gordon Matheson has failed to convince most of the city's constituencies that he should be the party's next deputy.
After supporting nominations closed on Friday, it emerged Matheson had been snubbed by four of the eight branches in his home town.
He was nominated by the Constituency Labour Party (CLP) in Glasgow Cathcart, where he lives, Glasgow Kelvin, where his ward is, plus Glasgow Anniesland and Glasgow Southside.
But he was rejected by Glasgow Pollok, Glasgow Shettleston and Glasgow Maryhill & Springburn, who preferred Cowdenbeath MSP and ex-Fife Council leader Alex Rowley.
Glasgow Provan plumped for North East list MSP Richard Baker.
Last month it emerged not one of the city's six Labour MSPs had nominated Matheson, but two were supporting Rowley and one wanted Baker instead.
Around half the Labour councillors in Glasgow are currently trying to oust Matheson as leader because of his plans to stand for Scottish deputy and become an MSP next May.
Matheson has announced he will step down as Glasgow City Council leader in February, but the rebels want him out next month so they can choose a new leader who will concentrate on the 2017 local elections instead of catching a "lifeboat" to Holyrood.
After the rebels sought an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on August 10, Scottish Labour general secretary Brian Roy intervened and threatened people with disciplinary action.
However Kezia Dugdale, the favourite to become Scottish Labour leader next month, told the Sunday Herald: "There's clearly a lot of moving and shaking going on in the Glasgow Labour group. But that's an issue for the Glasgow Labour group."
Rowley yesterday said he would prioritise doubling Scottish Labour's membership - currently around 15,500, compared to the SNP's 105,000 - by devolving far more power over policy making to the grassroots of the party.
"If Labour is to revitalise itself in Scotland then we have to get on the front-foot of the devolution debate. That means a Scottish party that has greater autonomy. More of the same or safety first politics won't turn our fortunes around."
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