Labour’s Scottish Challenge

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BBC Radio 4 - Labour’s Scottish Challenge

Nick Eardley on whether the Labour Party are about to make a comeback in Scotland.

Is the Labour Party in Scotland on the cusp of a major revival? In a general election year are the SNP's woes a chance for Labour to rise again as a major force in Scotland?

Political correspondent Nick Eardley finds out if the Labour Party are about to make a major comeback in Scotland. 
 
We begin with what went wrong for the once all-conquering Labour Party north of the border. How the independence debate alienated the party from some of its voters - and saw it nearly wiped out at the 2015 general election. But after a decade in the wilderness, is Scotland at a major turning point? The SNP has lost its popular leader in Nicola Sturgeon and the campaign for independence has faltered. Are the SNP's troubles opening a door for Labour? Is Labour in Scotland back? 
 
With contributions from current Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and the SNP leader Humza Yousaf. We also hear the thoughts of former Labour leaders Kezia Dugdale and Jim Murphy. Nick talks to former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, and John McDonnell MP, who held the post of shadow chancellor in Jeremy Corbyn's cabinet. The SNP’s Mhairi Black MP and Labour’s former Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander remember going head-to-head in the Paisley and Renfrewshire South seat in 2015 which marked Mhairi Black’s ascendancy and Douglas Alexander’s dramatic fall. With the former declaring she won’t be standing for re-election, and the latter about to stand again, are the tables about to be turned? 
 
In this election year, the result north of the border will be a significant factor and could be key to whether Keir Starmer reaches Downing Street.

Presenter: Nick Eardley
Producer: Carol Purcell
Researchers: May Robson and Lucy Small
Executive Producers: Peter McManus and Elizabeth Clark
Mixed by Kris McConnachie
A BBC Scotland Production

Audio Credits:
Clip of Kate Forbes - Scotland's Next First Minister: The Leader's Debate, STV 7 March 2023

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